Specific document determining apparatus, image reading apparatus, specific document determining method, and a computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method stored therein image reading apparatus having a specific document

ABSTRACT

The present specific document determining apparatus according to the present invention comprises a microwave sensor for irradiating a microwave to and scanning a document, detecting a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, outputting a first detection signal, again irradiating a microwave and scanning the document after the document is placed on a contact glass, detecting a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, and outputting a second detection signal; a signal processing section for using the first detection signal as a reference signal and comparing a level of the reference signal to a level of the second detection signal to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not, and a controller for making determination as to whether the document is a specific one or not according to a result of determination by the signal processing section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a specific document determiningapparatus, an image reading apparatus for, and a specific documentdetermining method of making determination as to whether a document is aspecific document (note) such as bills or marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein or not by detecting metallic fiberincluded in a document using a microwave, and to a computer-readablerecording medium with a program for execution of the same storedtherein, and more particularly to a specific document determiningapparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a specific documentdetermining method each always enabling determination of a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein at high accuracy even if a condition for detecting themetallic fiber has changed, and to a computer-readable recording mediumwith a program for execution of the same stored therein.

The present invention further relates to a specific document determiningmethod for preventing a specific document (note) such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein by detectingmetallic fiber existing in a document from being illegally copied, acomputer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of themethod stored therein, a specific document determining apparatus, and animage reading apparatus available for the method, and more particularlyto a specific document determining method for preventing a specificdocument (note) such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein from being illegally copied, said method enablingdetection of metallic fiber with improved accuracy, a computer-readablerecording medium for execution of the method, a specific documentdetermining apparatus, and an image reading apparatus available for themethod.

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having aspecific document determining function for preventing a specificdocument (note) such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein from being illegally copied by detecting metallicfiber included in a document by means of using a microwave, a method ofcontrolling an image reading apparatus having a specific documentdetermining function, and a computer-readable recording medium with aprogram for execution of the control method stored therein, and moreparticularly to an image reading apparatus having a specific documentdetermining function for preventing a human body from being affected bya microwave by preventing irradiation of a microwave to the human body,a method of controlling the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function, and a computer-readable recording mediumwith a program for execution of the control program stored therein.

The present invention further relates to a specific document determiningapparatus for making determination as to whether a document is aspecific document (note) such as bills or marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein or not by detecting metallic fiberincluded in the document by means of using a microwave, and moreparticularly to a specific document determining apparatus with improvedaccuracy in determination of a specific document for makingdetermination as to whether a microwave sensor for detecting metallicfiber is operating normally or not.

The present invention further relates to an image forming apparatuscomprising a specific document determining apparatus for makingdetermination as to whether a document is a specific document (note)such as bills or marketable securities and having a function to preventa document determined as a specific document from being illegallycopied, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus forpreventing a specific document from being illegally copied and at thesame time enabling continuous execution of the copying operation byrestricting the functions or changing the image processing even when anyabnormality occurs in the specific document determining apparatus due toa breakdown thereof or so and a processing for determination of aspecific document can not be executed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, in association with improvement in image processingtechnology as well as in image forming technology it has become possibleto form an image so precisely that a copied bill copied with a colorcopying machine can not easily be differentiated from an actual bill.For this reason there has been developed an apparatus for determining aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities inhibited frombe copied and for inhibiting an illegal operation for copying when it isdetermined that the document is a specific document, and also there hasbeen proposed an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine witha function for determining a specific document incorporated therein.

As examples of the specific document as described above, there are billswith metallic fiber included therein to indicate that the bills arespecific documents. To differentiate the specific documents fromordinary documents as described above, it is required only to detectmetallic fiber included in a document. For this purpose, as an imageforming apparatus having a function to determine a specific documentwith metallic fiber included therein, there has been proposed anapparatus comprising a microwave sensor for irradiating a microwave to adocument, detecting a transmitted wave or a reflected wave of theirradiated microwave, and outputting a detection signal, and a signaldetermining section for receiving the detection signal outputted fromthe microwave sensor and making determination as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not.

The microwave sensor in the image forming apparatus, provided generallyin an image reading unit having a CCD or the like for photographing,reciprocates for scanning together with the image reading unit over adocument placed on the document base, irradiates a microwave to thedocument for detecting metallic fiber and detects a reflected wave inthe forward direction for scanning. Then the signal determining sectionreceives the detection signal for the reflected wave outputted from themicrowave sensor, compares a level of the received detection signal to apreset threshold value, and determines that metallic fiber is includedin the document when the level of the detection signal exceeds thethreshold value, and also determines that metallic fiber is not includedin the document when the level of the detection signal does not exceedthe threshold value. As a result, it is determined that the document isa specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber isincluded in the document.

However, in the conventional technology, for example, when a metallicmember is included in a pressure plate, when an attached condition ofthe pressure plate is changed, or when a use environment of theapparatus is changed, a level of a detection signal outputted from themicrowave sensor may change, which changes accuracy in detection ofmetallic fiber included in a document.

Also, in the conventional technology, any interference elements such asa noise due to an influence of vibrations of the image reading unit andchanges in temperature or the like may sometimes be included in thedetection signal outputted from the microwave sensor, so that it is notalways possible to make determination of a specific document with highaccuracy.

In the conventional technology, during the operation for determining asto whether a document is a specific document or not, a user mayunintentionally open the pressure plate. In this case, a microwave maydirectly be irradiated to the user, and for this reason, it is necessaryto design the apparatus so as not to directly irradiate a microwave to ahuman body.

In the conventional technology, when the microwave sensor is notoperating normally, metallic fiber included in a document can notaccurately be detected, so that accuracy in determination of a specificdocument may lower.

In the image forming apparatus based on the conventional technology,when any abnormality occurs in a specific document determining apparatusdue to a breakdown thereof so that determination is not made as towhether the document is a specific document or not, an operation forcopying ordinary documents can not be performed until the specificdocument determining apparatus is returned to normal operation becauseaction for preventing illegal copying of a specific document is taken byinhibiting whole operations for copying.

Especially, even though illegal copying of bills or marketablesecurities generally requires color copying, with the conventionaltechnology, copying in a monochrome copy mode used with high frequencyis also inhibited in a copying machine having both a color copy mode anda monochrome copy mode, so that it is not possible to make effective useof a copying machine having a color copy mode as well as a monochromecopy mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to always enable detectionof metallic fiber included in a document with high accuracy.

It is a second object of the present invention to improve accuracy indetermination of a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities with metallic fiber included therein by eliminatinginfluences due to interference elements in a detection signal on theoperations.

It is a third object of the present invention to ensure safety to a userby stopping irradiation of a microwave when a user happens to open apressure plate during irradiation of the microwave.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to enable prevention of aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein from being illegally copied even whendetermination can not be made, because of stopping of an output of amicrowave, as to whether a document is a specific document or not.

It is a fifth object of the present invention to ensure safety to a userby making a pressure plate incapable of opening when a microwave isirradiated.

It is a sixth object of the present invention to improve accuracy indetermination of a specific document by making determination as towhether a microwave sensor is normally operating or not.

It is a seventh object of the present invention to enable prevention ofa specific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied and at the same time to enable continuation of copyingoperation even when determination can not be made, because of occurrenceof any abnormality in a specific document determining apparatus, as towhether a document is a specific document or not.

With the present invention, the apparatus comprises a detector whichirradiates a microwave to and scans a specified area of the specificdocument determining apparatus before the document is placed on thedocument base, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave,outputs a first detection signal, then irradiates a microwave to andscans the document after the document is placed on the document base andis covered with a pressure plate, detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave, and outputs a second detection signal; a firstdetermining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiberis included in the document or not by using the first detection signalas a reference and comparing a level of the reference signal to a levelof the second detection signal; and a second determining unit for makingdetermination according to a result of determination by the firstdetermining unit as to whether the document is the specific document ornot, so that a reference signal appropriate to a current environment ofthe apparatus can be obtained and determination can always be made withconstantly high accuracy as to whether a document is a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber includedtherein or not even if a level of the detection signal outputted fromthe microwave sensor is changed, for example, when the pressure plate isconstructed with a metallic member, when the attached condition of thepressure plate is changed, or when the use environment of the apparatusis changed.

With the present invention, the method comprises a first step ofirradiating a microwave to the document in both the forward and backwarddirections for scanning, detecting a reflected portion thereof, andoutputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to thedocument and scanning the document and detecting a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingdetection signals for reflected waves in both the forward and backwarddirections for scanning detected in the first step; and a third step formaking determination, according to a result of determination in thesecond step, as to whether the document is the specific document or not,so that interference elements such as each direction of irradiation andreflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, and external noises canbe removed from detection signals, which allows processing fordetermination of a specific document with high accuracy to be executed.

The present invention has a pressure plate determining unit for makingdetermination as to whether a pressure plate pressing a document to adocument base is in the open state or in the closed state whenirradiating a microwave to and scanning the document, and a specificdocument determining unit for stopping irradiation of a microwave whenit is determined by the pressure plate determining unit that thepressure plate is in the open state, and also executing the processingfor irradiating a microwave to and scanning a document when it isdetermined by the pressure plate determining unit that the pressureplate is in the closed state, so that it is possible to prevent amicrowave from being directly irradiated to a human body.

The present invention comprises testing members comprising metallicmembers and non-metallic members provided for checking operations of themicrowave sensor, and a determination controller for controlling themicrowave sensor to make it irradiate a microwave to and scan themetallic members and non-metallic members, receiving an output signalfrom the metallic members and an output signal from the non-metallicmembers each outputted from the microwave sensor, and makingdetermination whether the microwave sensor is working normally or not bycomparing the output signal from the metallic members to that from thenon-metallic members, so that it is possible to accurately determinewhether the microwave sensor is working normally or not. As a result, itis possible to prevent the processing for determining a specificdocument from being executed when the microwave sensor is not workingnormally, which improves a precision in determination of a specificdocument.

The present invention has a controller for having the copying operationexecuted in the state where some functions owned by the image formingapparatus are suppressed when any abnormality is detected in thespecific document determining apparatus, so that, even whendetermination of a specific document can not be executed, it is possibleto prevent a specific document such as bills or marketable securitiesfrom being illegally copied by inhibiting only the copying operationsusing the suppressed functions, and at the same time to have the copyingoperation without using the suppressed functions, thus the copyingoperation is executed continuously. Also all the copying operations arenot inhibited, so that down time of the image forming apparatus can beminimized.

Other objects and features of this invention will become understood fromthe following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus to which aspecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 1 isapplied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a signal processing section providedin the image reading apparatus to which the specific documentdetermining apparatus is applied shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view concretely showing a construction of a document readingsystem of the image reading apparatus to which the specific documentdetermining apparatus is applied shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determining aspecific document in the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is applied;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a relation between a referencesignal obtained by irradiating a microwave to an ordinary pressure platewith no metal member therein and a detection signal when metallic fiberis included in a document;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a relation between a referencesignal obtained by irradiating a microwave to the pressure plate with ametal member therein and a detection signal when metallic fiber isincluded in a document;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the signal processing section of theimage reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 2 is applied;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determining aspecific document in the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is applied;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determining aspecific document in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 3 is applied;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga specific document in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 4 is applied;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga specific document in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 5 is applied;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga specific document in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 6 is applied;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga specific document in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 7 is applied;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga specific document in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 8 is applied;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga metallic section in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 is applied;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a signal processing section providedin the image reading apparatus to which the specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 is applied;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing one example of detection signalsoutputted from the microwave sensor by executing the processing fordetermining a metallic section shown FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga specific document in the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 is applied;

lo FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a modified imagereading apparatus to which the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 9 is applied;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga metallic section in the image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 10 is applied;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 11;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 12;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 13;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 14;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 15;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 16;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 17;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 18;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 19;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specificdocument by a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 20;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus having aspecific document determining function according to Embodiment 21;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a scanner unit of the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function shown inFIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing an image processor of the imagereading apparatus having the specific document determining functionshown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing a write processing unit of the imagereading apparatus having the specific document determining functionshown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a sequence of controlling an output of amicrowave executed for the processing for determining a specificdocument in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 21;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus having aspecific document determining function according to Embodiment 22;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a sequence of controlling an output of amicrowave executed for the processing for determining a specificdocument in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 22;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus having aspecific document determining function according to Embodiment 23;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a sequence of controlling an output of amicrowave executed for the processing for determining a specificdocument in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 23;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a sequence of controlling an output of amicrowave executed for the processing for determining a specificdocument in an image reading apparatus having a specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 24;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a sequence of controlling an output of amicrowave executed for the processing for determining a specificdocument in an image reading apparatus having a specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 25;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing image processingin an image reading apparatus having a specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 26;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing image processingin an image reading apparatus having a specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 27;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing image processingin an image reading apparatus having a specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 28;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing image processingin an image reading apparatus having a specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 29;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing image processingin an image reading apparatus having a specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 30;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a sequence of controlling an output of amicrowave executed for the processing for determining a specificdocument in an image reading apparatus having a specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 31;

FIG. 48 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus having aspecific document determining function according to Embodiment 32;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a sequence of locking a pressure plate inthe processing for determining a specific document in an image readingapparatus having a specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 32;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing processing for checking an operation ofthe microwave sensor in an image reading apparatus to which a specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 33 is applied;

FIG. 51 is an explanatory view showing an output signal when themicrowave sensor is normally operating;

FIG. 52 is an explanatory view showing an output signal when anyabnormality occurs in the microwave sensor;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing operations of an image reading apparatusto which a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 34 is applied;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing operations of an image reading apparatusto which a specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 35 is applied;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing processing for checking an operation ofthe microwave sensor in an image forming apparatus according toEmbodiment 36;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing processing executed when any abnormalityoccurs in the microwave sensor in the image forming apparatus accordingto Embodiment 36;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing processing for inhibiting a full colormode in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 36;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing processing executed when any abnormalityoccurs in the microwave sensor in an image forming apparatus accordingto Embodiment 37;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing processing for changing image processingin the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 37;

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing processing for changing image processingin an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 38;

FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing processing for changing image processingin an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 39;

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing processing for changing image processingin an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 40; and

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing processing for changing image processingin an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 41.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description is made hereinafter for a specific documentdetermining apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a specific documentdetermining method, a computer-readable recording medium with a programfor execution of the method stored therein, an image reading apparatushaving a specific document determining function, a method forcontrolling the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function, a computer-readable recording medium with aprogram for execution of the same stored therein, and an image formingapparatus according to embodiments of the present invention withreference to the related drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus to which aspecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 1 isapplied. The image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises a scannerunit 110 for reading color image data for RGB from a document; an imageprocessor 120 for receiving the color image data from the scanner unit110 and subjecting the data to γ-correction, RGB/YMCK conversion,gray-scale processing or the like; a write processing unit 130 foremitting a laser diode (LD) 131 to execute image write-in processing; aprinter unit 140 for recording a color image on recording paper using alight for writing from the LD 131; an operating unit 150 for inputtingvarious types of mode and displaying massages or the like; a documentdetermining unit 160 for making determination as to whether a documentis a specific document such as bills or marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein or not by irradiating a microwave to adocument and using a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave; anda controller 180 for controlling each of the above components. It shouldbe noted that the specific document determining apparatus comprises thedocument determining unit 160 and the controller 180.

In FIG. 1, the scanner unit 110 comprises a reader sensor 111 such as aCCD sensor for reading color image data, and a read signal processingsection 112 for subjecting the color image data as an analog signaloutputted from the reader sensor 111 to signal processing such asconversion of the data to a digital signal or the like and outputtingthe signal to the image processor 120.

The printer unit 140 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, an output loadingsection 141 including an image forming section (not shown in the figure)comprising a photoconductive drum, a charger, and a developing device,as well as a motor, a clutch, and a solenoid for driving those devices;a various types of sensor 142 for detecting a surface potential and atoner density of the photoconductive drum; and an I/O port 143 forcontrolling input/output of specified signals.

The image determining unit 160 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, amicrowave sensor 161 for irradiating a microwave to a document,detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signalcorresponding to a level of the reflected wave; and a signal processingsection 162 for receiving the detection signal outputted from themicrowave sensor 161, subjecting the received detection signal tospecified signal processing, and making determination as to whether thedocument is a specific document such as bills or marketable securitieswith metallic fiber included therein or not.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the signal processing section 162. Thesignal processing section 162 comprises a reference signal storingsection 402 for receiving a detection signal obtained by irradiating amicrowave to a pressure plate (Refer to FIG. 3) with no document thereonfor scanning, and detecting the reflected wave to be output by themicrowave sensor 161, and storing therein the signal as a referencesignal for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is includedin the document or not; a determination processing circuit 403 forreceiving the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave tothe document for scanning and detecting the reflected wave to be outputby the microwave sensor 161, as well as the reference signal stored inthe reference signal storing section 402, and making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by comparing alevel of the detection signal to the level of the reference signal; anda selector 401 used for selecting either the reference signal storingsection 402 or the determination processing circuit 403 to which thedetection signal outputted from the microwave sensor 161 is to beinputted.

FIG. 3 is a view concretely showing a construction of a document readingsystem of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The documentreading system shown in FIG. 3 comprises a contact glass 201 with adocument placed thereon; a pressure plate 202 for pressing the documentonto the contact glass 201; an exposure illuminating unit (halogen lamp)203; a first scanner 205 integrally constructed with a first mirror 204and the microwave sensor 161; a second scanner 208 integrallyconstructed with a second mirror 206 and a third mirror 207; an imagereading section 213 integrally constructed with a filter 209, a lens210, and a CCD 212; and a scanner board 214 with various types ofcircuit for receiving an image signal outputted from the CCD 212 andsubjecting the signal to specified signal processing, namely a readsignal processing section 112, the image processor 120, and the signalprocessing section 162 or the like mounted thereon, each of which isaccommodated in a frame.

In FIG. 3, designated at the reference numeral 215 is a shading plate (awhite reference plate), at 216 and 217 a cooling fan respectively, at218 a condensation preventing heater, at 219 a document size detector,and at 220 a bar code plate respectively.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatushaving the construction as described above. In the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 1, the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted when color image data is read in from a document. FIG. 4 is aflowchart showing a sequence of processing for determining a specificdocument in the image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

The microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to the pressure plate202 for scanning immediately after or at a specified timing after poweris turned ON, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave,and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a level of the reflectedwave to the signal processing section 162 (S401). It should be notedthat a timing of executing a step in step S401 is not restricted only toa timing immediately after power is turned ON or the like, but anytiming may be allowable so far as the step is executed before reading ofimage data from the document is instructed.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and stores the receiveddetection signal in the reference signal storing section 402 (S402). Thedetection signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402 isused later as a reference signal when determination is made as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not. Accordingly,the detection signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402is referred to as a reference signal hereinafter.

When a document is placed on the contact glass 201 and an instructionfor reading image data from the document is issued (S403), theprocessing for detecting metallic fiber included in the document isexecuted (S404). In step S404, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates amicrowave to the document for scanning, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe determination processing circuit 403, inputs the received detectionsignal in the determination processing circuit 403, and at the same timereads out the reference signal stored in the reference signal storingsection 402 to input the read out signal to the determination processingcircuit 403. The determination processing circuit 403 compares the levelof the detection signal to that of the reference signal (S405).

Description is made herein for the determination signal and referencesignal which are compared to each other in step S405 with reference toFIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a relation between a referencesignal obtained by irradiating a microwave to the ordinary pressureplate 202 with no metal member therein and a detection signal whenmetallic fiber is included in a document. As shown in FIG. 5, the levelof the detection signal when metallic fiber is included in the documentis higher as compared to the level of the reference signal. Accordingly,the reference signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to the pressureplate 202 can be used as the reference for making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in a document or not.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a relation between a referencesignal obtained by irradiating a microwave to the pressure plate 202with a metal member therein and a detection signal when metallic fiberis included in a document. There is a small deference, as compared toFIG. 5, between the level of the reference signal and the level of thedetection signal when metallic fiber is included in the document, butthe level of the detection signal when metallic fiber is included in thedocument is higher than that of the reference signal. Accordingly, thereference signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to the pressureplate 202 can be used as the reference for making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in a document or not even when ametallic member is used in the pressure plate 202.

Then, determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included ina document or not according to a result of comparing the level of thedetection signal to the level of the reference signal in step S405(S406). To be described more specifically, the determination processingcircuit 403 determines that metallic fiber is included in the documentwhen it is determined that the level of the detection signal exceeds thelevel of the reference signal as a result of comparison between thelevel of the detection signal and that of the reference signal, anddetermines that metallic fiber is not included in the document when itis determined that the level of the detection signal does not exceed thelevel of the reference signal. Then a result of this determination isreported to the controller 180 from the determination processing circuit403.

The controller 180 receives a result of the determination from thedetermination processing circuit 403, and determines that the documentis a specific document such as bills or marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallicfiber is included in the document. On the other hand, the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein but anordinary document when it is determined that metallic fiber is notincluded in the document by the signal processing section 162.

Then, when it is determined that the document is the specific document,the controller 180 executes the processing required for a specificdocument. The specific document such as bills or marketable securitiesis prevented from being illegally copied, for example, by stopping thereading of image data from the document, or subjecting image data afterhaving been read out from the document to specific image processingdifferentiated from ordinary processing to form an image differentiatedfrom the image in the document.

Also, when it is determined that a document is not a specific document,the controller 180 starts the processing for reading image data from thedocument. Namely, the controller makes the first scanner 205 reciprocatefor scanning and illuminates the document with the exposure illuminatingunit 203 in the forward direction for scanning. A light reflected by thedocument is reflected by the first mirror 204 to enter the secondscanner 208. The reflected light entering the second scanner 208 isreflected by the second mirror 206 and the third mirror 207 to enter theimage reading section 213. The reflected light entering the imagereading section 213 passes through the filter 209 and the lens 210, andthen enters the CCD 212. In the CCD 212, the reflected light isconverted to image data as electric signals to be inputted to the readsignal processing section 112.

The image data is subjected to specified processing in the read signalprocessing section 112 and in the image processor 120, and outputtedfrom the write processing unit 130 as a laser beam. The printer unit 140forms a color image using the laser beam outputted from the writeprocessing unit 130 and transfers the formed color image onto therecording paper.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus according toEmbodiment 1, a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not is obtained byirradiating a microwave to and scanning the pressure plate 202 with nodocument thereon, so that a reference signal appropriate to a currentenvironment of the apparatus can be obtained and determination canalways be made with constantly high accuracy as to whether a document isa specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein or not even if a level of the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor is changed, for example, when thepressure plate is constructed with a metallic member, when the attachedcondition of the pressure plate is changed, or when the use environmentof the apparatus is changed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the signal processing section 162 ofan image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 2 is applied. It should be noted thatthe construction of the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is applied isthe same on the whole as that to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 1 is applied, so that descriptionthereof is omitted herein.

The signal processing section 162 of the image reading apparatus towhich the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 2 is applied has a computing circuit 404 for subjecting thedetection signal (the first detection signal) obtained by irradiating amicrowave to the pressure plate 202 for scanning to the averagingprocessing to obtain an average value signal.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 2 is applied. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sequence ofprocessing for determining a specific document in the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 2 is applied. It should be noted that, in the sequence ofdetermining a specific document shown in FIG. 8, processing from stepS401 to step S406 is the same as that in FIG. 4 described in Embodiment1, so that only different points therefrom are explained hereinafter.

In step S401, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to thepressure plate 202 for scanning immediately after or at a specifiedtiming after power is turned ON, detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to alevel of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and inputs the detectionsignal in the computing circuit 404. The computing circuit 404 generatesa reference signal by subjecting the received detection signal to theaveraging processing to obtain an average value signal (S801). Then, thecomputing circuit 404 outputs the generated reference signal to thereference signal storing section 402, and the reference signal storingsection 402 receives and stores the reference signal therein (S402). Thereference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402 isused as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not in step S405.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 2 isapplied, the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to thepressure plate 202 with no document thereon for scanning is subjected tothe averaging processing to obtain an average value signal, and theobtained signal is used as a reference signal for making determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in a document or not, so thatthe processing for comparison between the level of the reference signaland that of the detection signal can easily be performed, and at thesame time an amount of data for the reference signal can be reduced.Accordingly, the amount of required memory in the reference signalstoring section 402 can also be reduced.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 3 is applied has the computing circuit404 for subjecting the detection signal (the first detection signal)obtained by irradiating a microwave to the pressure plate 202 forscanning to sampling processing to obtain a maximum value signalprovided in the signal processing section 162 thereof. It should benoted that the construction of the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 3 isapplied is the same as that to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to either of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 isapplied, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 3 is applied. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sequence ofprocessing for determining a specific document in the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 3 is applied. It should be noted that, in the sequence ofdetermining a specific document shown in FIG. 9, processing from stepS401 to step S406 is the same as that in FIG. 4 described in Embodiment1, so that only different points therefrom are explained hereinafter.

In step S401, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to thepressure plate 202 for scanning immediately after or at a specifiedtiming after power is turned ON, detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to alevel of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and inputs the detectionsignal in the computing circuit 404. The computing circuit 404 generatesa reference signal by subjecting the received detection signal to thesampling processing to obtain a maximum value signal (S901). Then, thecomputing circuit 404 outputs the generated reference signal to thereference signal storing section 402, and the reference signal storingsection 402 receives and stores the reference signal therein (S402). Thereference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402 isused as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not in step S405.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 3 isapplied, the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to thepressure plate 202 with no document thereon for scanning is subjected tothe sampling processing to obtain a maximum value signal, and theobtained signal is used as a reference signal for making determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in a document or not, so thatprocessing for comparison between the level of the reference signal andthat of the detection signal can easily be performed, and at the sametime an amount of data for the reference signal can be reduced.Accordingly, the amount of required memory in the reference signalstoring section 402 can also be reduced.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 4 is applied has the computing circuit404 for subjecting the detection signal (the first detection signal)obtained by irradiating a microwave to the pressure plate 202 forscanning to sampling processing to obtain a minimum value signalprovided in the signal processing section 162 thereof. It should benoted that the construction of the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 4 isapplied is the same as that to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to either Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 is applied,so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 4 is applied. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sequence ofprocessing for determining a specific document in the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 4 is applied. It should be noted that, in the sequence ofdetermining a specific document shown in FIG. 10, processing from stepS401 to step S406 is the same as that in FIG. 4 described in Embodiment1, so that only different points therefrom are explained hereinafter.

In step S401, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to thepressure plate 202 for scanning immediately after or at a specifiedtiming after power is turned ON, detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to alevel of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162 (S401).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and inputs the detectionsignal in the computing circuit 404. The computing circuit 404 generatesa reference signal by subjecting the received detection signal to thesampling processing to obtain a minimum value signal (S1001). Then, thecomputing circuit 404 outputs the generated reference signal to thereference signal storing section 402, and the reference signal storingsection 402 receives and stores the reference signal therein (S402). Thereference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402 isused as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not in step S405.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 4 isapplied, the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to thepressure plate 202 with no document thereon for scanning is subjected tothe sampling processing to obtain a minimum value signal, and theobtained signal is used as a reference signal for making determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in a document or not, so thatprocessing for comparison between the level of the reference signal andthat of the detection signal can easily be performed, and at the sametime an amount of data for the reference signal can be reduced.Accordingly, the amount of required memory in the reference signalstoring section 402 can also be reduced.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 5 is applied detects, by irradiating amicrowave to the white reference plate 215 provided at a positionadjacent to the contact glass 201 for scanning by the microwave sensor161, a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave to output adetection signal, and uses the detection signal as a reference signalfor making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in adocument or not. It should be noted that the construction of the imagereading apparatus to which the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 5 is applied is the same as that to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 1 isapplied, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 5 is applied. In the image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to Embodiment 5, theprocessing for determining a specific document is executed when imagedata is read out from a document. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing asequence of processing for determining a specific document in the imagereading apparatus to which the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 5 is applied.

The microwave sensor 161 moves to a position adjacent to the whitereference plate 215 immediately after or at a specified timing afterpower is turned ON (S1101). Then, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates amicrowave to the white reference plate 215 for scanning, detects areflected portion of the irradiated microwave, and outputs a detectionsignal corresponding to a level of the reflected wave to the signalprocessing section 162 (S1102). It should be noted that a timing ofexecuting steps in step S1101 and step S1102 is not restricted only to atiming immediately after power is turned ON or the like, but any timingmay be allowable so far as the step is executed before reading of imagedata from a document is instructed.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and stores the receiveddetection signal in the reference signal storing section 402 (S1103).The reference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402is used later as a reference signal for making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in a document or not. Accordingly,the detection signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402is referred to as a reference signal hereinafter.

When a document is placed on the contact glass 201 and an instructionfor reading image data from the document is issued (S1104), theprocessing for detecting metallic fiber included in the document isexecuted (S1105). In step S1105, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates amicrowave to the document for scanning, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe determination processing circuit 403, inputs the received detectionsignal in the determination processing circuit 403, and at the same timereads out the reference signal stored in the reference signal storingsection 402, and inputs the read out signal to the determinationprocessing circuit 403. The determination processing circuit 403compares the level of the detection signal to that of the referencesignal (S1106). It should be noted that a relation between the referencesignal and the detection signal is the same as that shown in FIG. 6.

The determination processing circuit 403 determines that metallic fiberis included in the document when it is determined that the level of thedetection signal exceeds the level of the reference signal as a resultof comparison between the level of the detection signal and that of thereference signal, and determines that metallic fiber is not included inthe document when it is determined that the level of the detectionsignal does not exceed the level of the reference signal (S1107). Then aresult of this determination is reported to the controller 180 from thedetermination processing circuit 403.

The controller 180 receives a result of the determination from thedetermination processing circuit 403, and makes determination that adocument is a specific document such as bills or marketable securitieswith metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallicfiber is included in the document. On the other hand, the controller 180makes determination that a document is not a specific document such asbills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein butan ordinary document when it is determined that metallic fiber is notincluded in the document in the signal processing section 162.

Then, when it is determined that a document is a specific document, thecontroller 180 executes the processing required for a specific document.The specific document such as bills or marketable securities isprevented from being illegally copied, for example, by stopping thereading of image data from the document, or subjecting image data afterhaving been read from the document to specific image processingdifferentiated from ordinary processing to form an image differentiatedfrom the image in the document.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a document is not aspecific document, the controller 180 starts the processing for readingimage data from the document. It should be noted that the operations forreading image data from a document is the same as that described inEmbodiment 1, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus according toEmbodiment 5, a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not is obtained byirradiating a microwave to the white reference plate 215 for scanning,so that any white reference plate generally used in an image readingapparatus can be used and also a reference signal can easily beobtained.

It should be noted that, in Embodiment 5, a white reference plate isused for obtaining a reference signal used for making determination asto whether metallic fiber is included in a document or not, but anymetallic plate other than the white reference plate may be used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the contact glass 201 is positioned in a spacebetween a document and the microwave sensor 161. Therefore, a glassplate is inserted between the white reference plate 215 (metallic plate)and the microwave sensor 161, which allows a reference signal for makingdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in a document ornot to be obtained under the same conditions as those under which adetection signal is obtained from a reflected portion for the microwaveirradiated to a document for scanning.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 6 is applied has the computing circuit404 for subjecting the detection signal (the first detection signal)obtained by irradiating a microwave to the white reference plate 215 forscanning to averaging processing to obtain an average value signalprovided in the signal processing section 162 thereof. It should benoted that the construction of the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 6 isapplied is the same as that to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to any of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 and Embodiment3 is applied, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 6 is applied. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a sequence ofprocessing for determining a specific document in the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 6 is applied. It should be noted that, in the sequence ofdetermining a specific document shown in FIG. 12, processing from stepS1101 to step S1107 is the same as that in FIG. 11 described inEmbodiment 5, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

In step S1102, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and inputs the detectionsignal in the computing circuit 404. The computing circuit 404 generatesa reference signal by subjecting the received detection signal to theaveraging processing to obtain an average value signal (S1201). Then,the computing circuit 404 outputs the generated reference signal to thereference signal storing section 402, and the reference signal storingsection 402 receives and stores the reference signal therein (S1103).The reference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402is used as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not in step S1106.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 6 isapplied, the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning is subjected to the averagingprocessing to obtain an average value signal, and the obtained signal isused as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not, so that processing forcomparison between the level of the reference signal and that of thedetection signal can easily be performed, and at the same time an amountof data for the reference signal can be reduced. Accordingly, the amountof required memory in the reference signal storing section 402 can alsobe reduced.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 7 is applied has the computing circuit404 for subjecting the detection signal (the first detection signal)obtained by irradiating a microwave to the white reference plate 215 forscanning to sampling processing to obtain a maximum value signalprovided in the signal processing section 162 thereof. It should benoted that the construction of the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 7 isapplied is the same as that to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to any of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 and Embodiment3 is applied, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 7 is applied. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a sequence ofprocessing for determining a specific document in the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 7 is applied. It should be noted that, in the sequence ofdetermining a specific document shown in FIG. 13, processing from stepS1101 to step S1107 is the same as that in FIG. 11 described inEmbodiment 5, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

In step S1102, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and inputs the detectionsignal in the computing circuit 404. The computing circuit 404 generatesa reference signal by subjecting the received detection signal to thesampling processing to obtain a maximum value signal (S1301). Then, thecomputing circuit 404 outputs the generated reference signal to thereference signal storing section 402, and the reference signal storingsection 402 receives and stores the reference signal therein (S1103).The reference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402is used as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not in step S1106.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 7 isapplied, the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning is subjected to the samplingprocessing to obtain a maximum value signal, and the obtained signal isused as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not, so that processing forcomparison between the level of the reference signal and that of thedetection signal can easily be performed, and at the same time an amountof data for the reference signal can be reduced. Accordingly, the amountof required memory in the reference signal storing section 402 can alsobe reduced.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 8 is applied has the computing circuit404 for generating a reference signal by subjecting the detection signal(the first detection signal) obtained by irradiating a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning to sampling processing to obtaina minimum value signal provided in the signal processing section 162thereof. It should be noted that the construction of the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 8 is applied is the same as that to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to any of Embodiment 1,Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 is applied, so that description thereof isomitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 8 is applied. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a sequence ofprocessing for determining a specific document in the image readingapparatus to which the specific document determining apparatus accordingto Embodiment 8 is applied. It should be noted that, in the sequence ofdetermining a specific document shown in FIG. 14, processing from stepS1101 to step S1107 is the same as that in FIG. 11 described inEmbodiment 5, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

In step S1102, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe reference signal storing section 402, and inputs the detectionsignal in the computing circuit 404. The computing circuit 404 generatesa reference signal by subjecting the received detection signal to thesampling processing to obtain a minimum value signal (S1401). Then, thecomputing circuit 404 outputs the generated reference signal to thereference signal storing section 402, and the reference signal storingsection 402 receives and stores the reference signal therein (S1103).The reference signal stored in the reference signal storing section 402is used as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not in step S1106.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 8 isapplied, the detection signal obtained by irradiating a microwave to thewhite reference plate 215 for scanning is subjected to the samplingprocessing to obtain a minimum value signal, and the obtained signal isused as a reference signal for making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in a document or not, so that processing forcomparison between the level of the reference signal and that of thedetection signal can easily be performed, and at the same time an amountof data for the reference signal can be reduced. Accordingly, the amountof required memory in the reference signal storing section 402 can alsobe reduced.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 9 is applied comprises steps ofdetecting any metallic components existing in a region for scanning adocument (an environment for determination); storing positionalinformation for the metallic components; irradiating a microwave to andscanning the document; detecting a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave for scanning, outputting a detection signal for the reflectedwave; making determination as to whether the detection signal is adetection signal for a reflected wave reflected by the metalliccomponents or not by using the stored positional information of themetallic components when making determination as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not; making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by comparing alevel of the detection signal to a level of a specified reference signalwhen it is determined that the detection signal is not a detectionsignal for a reflected wave reflected by the metallic components;determining that the document is the specific document when it isdetermined that metallic fiber is included in the document; repeatedlyexecuting scanning for the document, determination as to whether thedetection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected bythe metallic components or not, and determination as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not when it is determined that thedetection signal is a detection signal reflected by metallic componentsand when it is determined that metallic fiber is not included in thedocument; determining that the document is the specific document when itis determined that metallic fiber is included in the document; anddetermining that the document is not the specific document when scanningfor the document is terminated and it is determined that metallic fiberis not included in the document. It should be noted that theconstruction of the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 is applied isthe same as that to which the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 is applied, so that description thereof isomitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 9 is applied in the order of (1) Processing for determining ametallic section, and (2) Processing for determining a specificdocument.

(1) Processing for Determining a Metallic section

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga metallic section in the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 is applied. Themicrowave sensor 161 irradiates, immediately after or at a specifiedtiming after power is turned ON, a microwave to and scans the region forscanning a document, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a level ofthe reflected wave to the signal processing section 162 (S1501).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, as shown in FIG. 16, switchesthe selector 401 to the storing section 406, inputs the receiveddetection signal in the metallic-section extracting section 405, anddetects a position for a metallic section (e.g. ADF) existing in theregion for scanning a document from the detection signal (S1502). Thepositional information for the metallic section detected by themetallic-section extracting section 405 is stored in the storing section406 (S1503).

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing one example of detection signalsoutputted from the microwave sensor 161 by executing the processing fordetermining a metallic section. As shown in FIG. 17, three peaks appearin the detection signal outputted from the microwave sensor 161. Thosethree peaks indicate that a metallic section such as an ADF exists inthe region for scanning a document. In Embodiment 9, determination isnot made as to whether metallic fiber is included in a document or notusing a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by the regionwhere those peaks have appeared in the processing for determining aspecific document.

It should be noted that, as described in Embodiments 1 to 8, thedetection signal obtained in the processing for determining a metallicsection can be used as a reference signal for making determination as towhether metallic fiber exists in a document or not. In this case, thisdetection signal may be subjected to computing processing such asaveraging processing.

(2) Processing for Determining a Specific Document

In the image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 9, the processing for determining aspecific document is executed when image data is read out from adocument. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing fordetermining a specific document in the image reading apparatus to whichthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 isapplied.

When a document is placed on the contact glass 201 and an instructionfor reading image data from the document is issued (S1801), theprocessing for detecting metallic fiber included in the document isexecuted (S1802). In step S1802, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates amicrowave to the document for scanning, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162.

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, switches the selector 401 tothe determination processing circuit 403, inputs the received detectionsignal in the determination processing circuit 403, and at the same timereads out positional information for the metallic section stored in thestoring section 406, and inputs the read out information to thedetermination processing circuit 403. The determination processingcircuit 403 makes determination as to whether the detection signal is asignal obtained from a reflected wave reflected by the metallic sectionor not by using positional information for the metallic section (S1803).

When it is determined in step S1803 that the detection signal is asignal obtained from a reflected wave reflected by the metallic section,the processing returns to step S1802, and scanning for the document iscontinued by the microwave sensor 161 and a detection signal isoutputted.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1803 that thedetection signal is not a signal obtained from a reflected wavereflected by the metallic section, the comparison between a level of thedetection signal and the level of the reference signal previously storedin the storing section 406 is performed in the determination processingcircuit 403 (S1804).

In step S1804, it is determined that metallic fiber is included in thedocument when the level of the detection signal exceeds the level of thereference signal, while it is determined that metallic fiber is notincluded in the document when the level of the detection signal does notexceed the level of the reference signal (S1805).

When it is determined in step S1805 that metallic fiber is included inthe document, a result of determination is reported from thedetermination processing circuit 403 to the controller 180, and thecontroller 180 determines that the document is the specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber includedtherein.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1805 that metallicfiber is not included in the document, the processing returns to stepS1802, and scanning for the document is continued by the microwavesensor 161 and a detection signal is outputted.

When it is determined that metallic fiber is not included in thedocument as a result of executing the processing from step S1802 to stepS1805 over the whole region of the document, the processing fordetermining a specific document is ended (S1806). In this case, it isdetermined that the document is not a specific document but an ordinarydocument.

Then, when it is determined that the document is a specific document,the controller 180 executes the processing required for a specificdocument. The specific document such as bills or marketable securitiesis prevented from being illegally copied, for example, by stopping thereading of image data from the document, or subjecting image data afterhaving been read from the document to specific image processingdifferentiated from ordinary processing to form an image differentiatedfrom the image in the document.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the document is not aspecific document, the controller 180 starts the processing for readingimage data from the document. It should be noted that the operation forreading image data is the same as that described in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is omitted herein.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus according toEmbodiment 9, as a metallic section existing in the region for scanninga document is previously recognized, it is possible to prevent erroneousdetermination due to influence of the metallic section in the apparatuseven if any metallic section exists in the region for scanning adocument due to the construction of an apparatus because a detectionsignal for a reflected wave reflected by the metallic section is notused for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is includedin a document or not.

It should be noted that, in Embodiment 9, the microwave sensor 161 isused in the processing for determining a metallic section as well as inthe processing for determining a specific document, but as shown in FIG.19, the sensor may be replaced with an IR (infrared rays) sensor 163.

An image reading apparatus to which a specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 10 is applied detects, when detectinga position of metallic components existing in the region for scanning adocument in Embodiment 9, a position of metallic components existing ina region of a document reading section by using previously inputtedpositional information for the metallic components.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing for determininga metallic section in the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 10 is applied.After power is turned ON, a user inputs coordinates (positionalinformation) of a metallic section (e.g. ADF) existing in the region forscanning a document through the operating unit 150 (S2001).

The inputted coordinates of the metallic section are stored in thestoring section 406 of the signal processing section 162 (S2002).

It should be noted that the processing for determining a specificdocument executed by the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 10 is applied isthe same as that executed by the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 9 isapplied, so that description is omitted herein.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 10 isapplied, a position of metallic components existing in the region forscanning a document is detected by using the previously inputtedpositional information for metallic components, so that, when existenceof the metallic section in the region for scanning a document ispreviously known, the apparatus can easily recognize a position of themetallic section, which allows erroneous determination due to influenceof the metallic section in the apparatus to be prevented.

It should be noted that each of the methods of determining a specificdocument described in Embodiments 1 to 10 can be programmed to enablestorage thereof in a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppydisk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and DVD.

As described above, with the specific document determining apparatusaccording to the present invention, the apparatus comprises a detectorwhich irradiates a microwave to and scans a specified area of thespecific document determining apparatus before the document is placed onthe document base, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, outputs a first detection signal, then irradiates a microwaveto and scans the document after the document is placed on the documentbase and is covered with a pressure plate, detects a reflected portionof the irradiated microwave, and outputs a second detection signal; afirst determining unit for making determination as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not by using the first detectionsignal as a reference and comparing a level of the reference signal to alevel of the second detection signal; and a second determining unit formaking determination according to a result of determination by the firstdetermining unit as to whether the document is the specific document ornot, so that a reference signal appropriate to a current environment ofthe apparatus can be obtained and determination can always be made withconstantly high accuracy as to whether a document is a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber includedtherein or not even if a level of the detection signal outputted fromthe microwave sensor is changed, for example, when the pressure plate isconstructed with a metallic member, when the attached condition of thepressure plate is changed, or when the use environment of the apparatusis changed.

Also, with the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the detector irradiates a microwave to and scan thepressure plate and detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave when irradiating a microwave to and scanning a specific areawithin the specific document determining apparatus and detecting areflected portion of the irradiated microwave, so that a referencesignal appropriate to a current environment of the apparatus can beobtained and determination can always be made with constantly highaccuracy as to whether a document is a specific document such as billsor marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein or noteven if a level of the detection signal outputted from the microwavesensor is changed, for example, when the pressure plate is constructedwith a metallic member, when the attached condition of the pressureplate is changed, or when the use environment of the apparatus ischanged.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the detector irradiates a microwave to and scans ametallic plate provided at a position adjacent to the document base anddetects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave when irradiatinga microwave to and scanning a specific area within the specific documentdetermining apparatus and detecting a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave, so that a reference signal used as the referencefor making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in adocument or not can be obtained with a simple construction.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus further comprises a computing unit forsubjecting the first detection signal outputted from the detector tocomputing processing, so that determination can easily be made as towhether metallic fiber is included in a document or not, and an amountof data for a reference signal can also be reduced.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the computing unit subjects a first detection signalto computing processing by subjecting the first detection signal toaveraging processing to obtain an average value signal when the firstdetection signal is to be subjected to computing processing, so thatdetermination can easily be made as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in a document or not, and an amount of data for a referencesignal can also be reduced.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the computing unit subjects a first detection signalto computing processing by subjecting the first detection signal tosampling processing to obtain a maximum value signal when the firstdetection signal is to be subjected to computing processing, so thatdetermination can easily be made as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in a document or not, and an amount of data for a referencesignal can also be reduced.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the computing unit subjects a first detection signalto computing processing by subjecting the first detection signal tosampling processing to obtain a minimum value signal when the firstdetection signal is to be subjected to computing processing, so thatdetermination can easily be made as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in a document or not, and an amount of data for a referencesignal can also be reduced.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the metallic plate provided at a position adjacent tothe document base is a white reference plate, so that, when the specificdocument determining apparatus is applied to an image reading apparatus,any white reference plate generally used in the image reading apparatuscan be used and also a reference signal can easily be obtained.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus further comprises a glass plate at aposition adjacent to the metallic plate, and the detector irradiates amicrowave to and scans the metallic plate via the glass plate anddetects a reflected wave thereof via the glass plate, so that areference signal used as the reference for making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in a document or not can be obtainedunder the same conditions as those under which a microwave is irradiatedto the document for scanning and the reflected wave is detected.

With the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, aspecific document determining unit comprises the specific documentdetermining apparatus as described above, so that determination canalways be made with constantly high accuracy as to whether a document isa specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein or not, which allows the specific document suchas bills or marketable securities to be prevented from being illegallycopied.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, the method comprises a first step of detecting any metalliccomponents existing in an environment for determination to makedetermination as to whether a document is a specific document or not andstoring positional information for the metallic components; a secondstep of irradiating a microwave to and scanning the document anddetecting a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave for scanningto output a detection signal for the reflected wave; a third step ofmaking determination as to whether the detection signal is a detectionsignal for a reflected wave reflected by the metallic components or notby using the positional information of the metallic components stored inthe first step when making determination as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in the document or not; a fourth step of making determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not bycomparing a level of the detection signal to a level of a specifiedreference signal when it is determined in the third step that thedetection signal is not a detection signal for a reflected wavereflected by the metallic components; a fifth step of determining thatthe document is the specific document when it is determined in thefourth step that metallic fiber is included in the document; a sixthstep of repeatedly executing scanning for the document, determination asto whether the detection signal is a detection signal for a reflectedwave reflected by the metallic components or not, and determination asto whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not when it isdetermined in the third step that the detection signal is a detectionsignal for the reflected wave reflected by metallic components and whenit is determined in the fourth step that metallic fiber is not includedin the document; a seventh step of determining that the document is thespecific document when it is determined in the sixth step that metallicfiber is included in the document; and an eighth step of determiningthat the document is not the specific document when scanning for thedocument is terminated and it is determined in the sixth step thatmetallic fiber is not included in the document, so that erroneousdetermination due to influence of the metallic components in theapparatus can be prevented.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, in the first step, when metallic components existing in theenvironment for determination are detected, a microwave is irradiated tothe environment for determination for scanning in a state where thedocument is not in the environment, a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave is detected, and the detected reflected wave isused to detect the metallic components existing in the environment fordetermination, so that metallic components existing in the region foroperating a document can automatically be detected, and erroneousdetermination due to influence of the metallic components in theapparatus can also be prevented.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, the method comprises a first step of detecting metalliccomponents existing in an environment for determination to makedetermination as to whether a document is a specific document or not andstoring positional information for the metallic components; a secondstep of irradiating an infrared ray to the document for scanning,detecting a reflected wave of the irradiated infrared ray for scanningand outputting a detection signal for the reflected wave; a third stepof determining whether the detection signal is a detection signal for areflected wave reflected by the metallic components or not by using thepositional information for the metallic components stored in the firststep when determining whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not; a fourth step of making determination as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not by comparing a level of thedetection signal to a level of a specified reference signal when it isdetermined in the third step that the detection signal is not adetection signal for a reflected signal reflected by the metalliccomponents; a fifth step of determining that the document is thespecific document when it is determined in the fourth step that metallicfiber is included in the document; a sixth step of repeatedly executingscanning for the document, determination as to whether the detectionsignal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by themetallic components or not, and determination as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not when it is determined in thethird step that the detection signal is a detection signal for areflected wave reflected by the metallic components and also when it isdetermined in the fourth step that metallic fiber is not included in thedocument; a seventh step of determining that the document is thespecific document when it is determined in the sixth step that metallicfiber is included in the document; and an eighth step of determiningthat the document is not the specific document when scanning isterminated and it is determined in the sixth step that metallic fiber isnot included in the document, so that erroneous determination due toinfluence of the metallic components in the apparatus can be prevented.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, in the first step, when detecting metallic componentsexisting in the environment for determination, the infrared ray isirradiated into the environment for determination for scanning in astate where the document is not present, a reflected wave of theirradiated infrared ray is detected, and the metallic componentsexisting in the environment for determination are detected by using thedetected reflected wave, so that metallic components existing in theregion for operating a document can automatically be detected, anderroneous determination due to influence of the metallic components inthe apparatus can also be prevented.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, in the first step, when detecting metallic componentsexisting in the environment for determination, metallic componentsexisting in the environment for determination are detected by using thepositional information for the metallic components previously inputtedtherein, so that, when existence of any metallic section in the regionof a document reading section is previously known, the apparatus caneasily recognize a position of the metallic section and erroneousdetermination due to influence of the metallic components in theapparatus can also be prevented.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, in the fourth step and the sixth step, when makingdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not, determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is includedin the document or not by comparing a level of the reflected wave usedfor detecting the metallic components in the first step to a level ofthe detection signal, so that a reference signal appropriate to acurrent environment of the apparatus can be obtained and determinationcan always be made with constantly high accuracy as to whether adocument is a specific document such as bills or marketable securitieswith metallic fiber included therein or not even if the level of thedetection signal outputted from the microwave sensor is changed, forexample, when the pressure plate is constructed with a metallic member,when the attached condition of the pressure plate is changed, or whenthe use environment of the apparatus is changed.

Further, with the computer-readable recording medium, the medium storestherein a program for execution of the method as described above, sothat the program itself used for the specific document determiningmethod can appropriately be protected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific document determiningapparatus (image reading apparatus) according to Embodiment 11, and FIG.2 is a view concretely showing a construction of a document readingsystem of the specific document determining apparatus shown in FIG. 1.Detailed description thereof has already been made, so that it isomitted herein. Next description is made for the processing ofdetermining a specific document executed by the specific documentdetermining apparatus having the construction as described above. FIG.21 is a flowchart showing a sequence of determining a specific documentin the specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment11.

The processing for determining a specific document is executedsimultaneously when prescan is executed. At first, when the firstscanner 205 reciprocates for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201, in the forward direction for prescan, the microwavesensor 161 provided in the first scanner 205 irradiates a microwave toand scans a document, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal for the portion detected inthe forward direction for prescan corresponding to a level of thereflected wave to the signal processing section 162 (S301a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the forward direction for scanning and makes determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using thereceived detection signal in the forward direction for scanning (S302a).In step S302a, when it is determined that metallic fiber is included inthe document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S302a that the metallicfiber is not included in the document, a result of determination isreported to the controller 180. Then, the controller 180 makes themicrowave sensor 161 and the signal processing section 162 execute againthe processing for determining a specific document in the backwarddirection for prescan (S303a).

Namely, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument also in the backward direction for scanning like in the forwarddirection, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, andoutputs a detection signal obtained in the backward direction forscanning corresponding to a level of the reflected wave to the signalprocessing section 162.

Then, the signal processing section 162 receives the detection signalobtained in the backward direction for scanning and makes determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingthe received detection signal in the backward direction for scanning(S304a).

In step S304a, when it is determined that metallic fiber is included inthe document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S304athat the metallic fiber is not included in the document, a result ofdetermination is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document but an ordinarydocument.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 11,not only the processing for determining a specific document is executedin the forward direction for scanning by the first scanner 205 but alsothe same processing is executed again in the backward direction forscanning, so that it is possible to prevent influence of a differencebetween the direction of irradiating a microwave and that of reflectingthe microwave to a result of determination, which allows accuracy indetermination of a specific document to be improved. For example, when ametallic plate is used for the surface of the pressure plate 202, it isgenerally difficult to make determination of a specific document withhigh accuracy because of influence of a reflected wave from thismetallic plate, but the influence of a reflected wave from the metallicplate may sometimes be reduced depending on an orientation of finishingtouch provided onto the metallic surface. In the specific documentdetermining method and the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 11, determination is made as to whether metallicfiber is included in the document or not by using two detection signalsin the forward and the backward directions for scanning, which allowsprocessing for determining a specific document to be performed with highaccuracy by making use of properties of the metallic plate. Also, whenit is determined in the first determination processing for a specificdocument that the document is a specific document, the processingrequired thereafter is not executed, so that controlling can besimplified and speeding up of the processing for determination can beachieved.

It should be noted that, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 11, the signal processing section 162 makesdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using a detection signal from the microwave sensor 161 and thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the document is aspecific document or not according to a result of determination in thesignal processing section 162, but all of the processing fordetermination may be performed by the signal processing section 162.Also, a timing of processing for determining a specific document is setto the time of prescan in Embodiment 11, but the timing is notrestricted to the above timing.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 12, the first scanner 205executes the processing for detecting metallic fiber in the forwarddirection when reciprocating for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201 to make determination as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in the document or not by using the detection signal obtainedby the detection processing, and executes again the processing fordetecting metallic fiber in the backward direction for prescan when itis determined that metallic fiber is included in the document to makedetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using the detection signal obtained by the detectionprocessing, and determines that the document is a specific document whenit is determined that metallic fiber is included in the document. Itshould be noted that the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 12 has the same construction as that of thespecific document determining apparatus described in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 12. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 12.

The processing for determining a specific document is executedsimultaneously when prescan is executed. At first, when the firstscanner 205 reciprocates for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201, in the forward direction of the reciprocatingmovements for prescan, the microwave sensor 161 provided in the firstscanner 205 irradiates a microwave to and scans a document, detects areflected portion of the irradiated microwave, and outputs a detectionsignal obtained in the forward direction for prescan corresponding to alevel of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162(S401a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the forward direction for prescan and makes determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using thereceived detection signal in the forward direction for prescan (S402a).In step 402a, when it is determined that metallic fiber is not includedin the document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is not aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein but an ordinary document.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S402a that the metallicfiber is included in the document, a result of determination is reportedto the controller 180. Then, the controller 180 makes the microwavesensor 161 and the signal processing section 162 execute again theprocessing for determining a specific document in the backward directionfor prescan (S403a).

Namely, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument also in the backward direction for prescan like in the forwarddirection, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, andoutputs a detection signal obtained in the backward direction forprescan corresponding to a level of the reflected wave to the signalprocessing section 162.

Then, the signal processing section 162 receives the detection signalobtained in the backward direction for scanning and makes determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingthe received detection signal in the backward direction for prescan(S404a).

In step S404a, when it is determined that metallic fiber is included inthe document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S404athat the metallic fiber is not included in the document, a result ofdetermination is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document but an ordinarydocument.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 12,not only the processing for determining a specific document is executedin the forward direction for scanning by the first scanner 205 but alsothe same processing is executed again in the backward direction forscanning, so that it is possible to prevent influence of a differencebetween the direction of irradiating a microwave and that of reflectingthe microwave to a result of determination, which allows accuracy indetermination of a specific document to be improved. For example, when ametallic plate is used for the surface of the pressure plate 202, it isgenerally difficult to make determination of a specific document withhigh accuracy because of influence of a reflected wave from thismetallic plate, but the influence of a reflected wave from the metallicplate may sometimes be reduced depending on a direction of finishing themetallic surface. In the specific document determining method and thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 12,determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in thedocument or not by using two detection signals in the forward and thebackward directions for scanning, which allows processing fordetermining a specific document to be performed with high accuracy bymaking use of properties of the metallic plate. Also, when it isdetermined in the first determination processing for a specific documentthat the document is not a specific document, the processing requiredthereafter is not executed, so that controlling can be simplified andspeeding up of the processing for determination can be achieved.

It should be noted that, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 12, the signal processing section 162 makesdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in a document ornot by using a detection signal from the microwave sensor 161 and thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the document is aspecific document or not according to a result of determination in thesignal processing section 162, but all of the processing fordetermination may be performed by the signal processing section 162.Also, a timing of processing for determining a specific document is setto the time of prescan in Embodiment 12, but the timing is notrestricted to the above timing.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 13, the first scanner 205executes the processing for detecting metallic fiber in both the forwarddirection and the backward direction when reciprocating for prescan overa document placed on the contact glass 201 to make determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by comparingthe detection signal in the forward direction to the detection signal inthe backward direction each obtained by the detection processing, anddetermines that the document is a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it isdetermined that metallic fiber is included in the document. It should benoted that the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 13 has the same construction as that of the specific documentdetermining apparatus described in Embodiment 1, so that descriptionthereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 13. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 13.

The processing for determining a specific document is executedsimultaneously when prescan is executed. At first, when the firstscanner 205 reciprocates for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201, in the forward direction for prescan, the microwavesensor 161 provided in the first scanner 205 irradiates a microwave toand scans a document, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal obtained in the forwarddirection for scanning corresponding to a level of the reflected wave tothe signal processing section 162 (S501a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the forward direction for scanning and makes the signal storingsection 170 store the received detection signal obtained in the forwarddirection for prescan (S502a).

Then, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument also in the backward direction for prescan like in the forwarddirection, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, andoutputs a detection signal obtained in the backward direction forprescan corresponding to a level of the reflected wave to the signalprocessing section 162 (S503a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the backward direction for prescan and makes the signal storingsection 170 store the received detection signal obtained in the backwarddirection for prescan (S504a).

The signal processing section 162 reads out the detection signalsobtained in the forward direction as well as in the backward directionfor prescan from the signal storing section 170 to obtain a comparisonvalue by comparing both of the signals to each other (S505a). Namely, adifference signal between the detection signal in the forward directionand the detection signal in the backward direction for prescan isobtained. Then, the signal processing section 162 compares thecomparison value (difference signal) obtained by the processing forcomparison to the preset threshold value (S506a).

In step S506a, it is determined that metallic fiber is included in thedocument when it is determined that the comparison value is larger thanthe threshold value, and a result of determination is reported to thecontroller 180. The controller 180 determines that the document is aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein according to a result of determination. On theother hand, it is determined that metallic fiber is not included in thedocument when it is determined that the comparison value is smaller thanthe threshold value, and a result of determination is reported to thecontroller 180. The controller 180 determines that the document is anordinary document according to a result of determination.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 13,determination is made as to whether the document is a specific documentor not by comparing the detection signals to each other obtained in boththe forward and backward directions for prescan, so that noise elementscan be removed from the signals during the processing for the comparisonand the comparison value with a high SN ratio can be obtained. As noiseelements, there is influence to detection signal due to vibration of thereading apparatus and influence by external noises and so on.

It should be noted that, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 13, the signal processing section 162 makesdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in a document ornot by using a detection signal from the microwave sensor 161 and thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the document is aspecific document or not according to a result of determination in thesignal processing section 162, but all of the processing fordetermination may be performed by the signal processing section 162.Also, a timing of processing for determining a specific document is setto the time of prescan in Embodiment 13, but the timing is notrestricted to the above timing.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 14, the first scanner 205executes the processing for detecting metallic fiber in both the forwarddirection and the backward direction when reciprocating for prescan overa document placed on the contact glass 201 to make determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by subjectingthe detection signals in the forward and backward directions eachobtained by the detection processing to averaging processing, anddetermines that the document is a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it isdetermined that metallic fiber is included in the document. It should benoted that the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 14 has the same construction as that of the specific documentdetermining apparatus described in Embodiment 1, so that descriptionthereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 14. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 14.

The processing for determining a specific document is executedsimultaneously when prescan is executed. At first, when the firstscanner 205 reciprocates for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201, in the forward direction for prescan, the microwavesensor 161 provided in the first scanner 205 irradiates a microwave toand scans a document, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal obtained in the forwarddirection for prescan corresponding to a level of the reflected wave tothe signal processing section 162 (S601a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the forward direction for prescan and makes the signal storingsection 170 store the received detection signal obtained in the forwarddirection for prescan (S602a).

Then, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument also in the backward direction for prescan like in the forwarddirection, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, andoutputs a detection signal obtained in the backward direction forprescan corresponding to a level of the reflected wave to the signalprocessing section 162 (S603a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the backward direction for prescan and makes the signal storingsection 170 store the received detection signal obtained in the backwarddirection for prescan (S604a).

The signal processing section 162 reads out the detection signalsobtained in the forward direction as well as in the backward directionfor prescan from the signal storing section 170 to obtain an averagevalue by subjecting both of the signals to averaging processing (S605a).Then, the signal processing section 162 compares the average valueobtained by the processing for averaging to the preset threshold value(S606a).

In step S606a, it is determined that metallic fiber is included in thedocument when it is determined that the average value is larger than thethreshold value, and a result of determination is reported to thecontroller 180. The controller 180 determines that the document is aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein according to a result of determination. On theother hand, it is determined that metallic fiber is not included in thedocument when it is determined that the average value is smaller thanthe threshold value, and a result of determination is reported to thecontroller 180. The controller 180 determines that the document is anordinary document according to a result of determination.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 14,determination is made as to whether the document is a specific documentor not by subjecting the detection signals obtained in both the forwardand backward directions for prescan to averaging processing, so thatinfluence of interference elements such as each direction of irradiationand reflection of a microwave, temperature, vibrations, and externalnoises can be removed from the signals, which allows accuracy indetermination of a specific document to be improved.

It should be noted that, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 14, the signal processing section 162 makesdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in a document ornot by using a detection signal from the microwave sensor 161 and thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the document is aspecific document or not according to a result of determination in thesignal processing section 162, but all of the processing fordetermination may be performed by the signal processing section 162.Also, a timing of processing for lo determining a specific document isset to the time of prescan in Embodiment 14, but the timing is notrestricted to the above timing.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus (an image reading apparatus) according toEmbodiment 15, the first scanner 205 executes the processing fordetecting metallic fiber in the forward direction when reciprocating forprescan over a document placed on the contact glass 201 to makedetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using the detection signal obtained by the detectionprocessing, and executes again the processing for detecting metallicfiber in the backward direction for prescan when it is determined thatmetallic fiber is not included in the document to make determination asto whether the document is a specific document or not by using thedetection signal obtained in the processing for detection, and further,the exposure illuminating unit 203 is lit up also in the backwarddirection for prescan like in the forward direction to execute theprocessing for determining a specific document under the sameconditions. It should be noted that the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 15 has the same construction as thatof the specific document determining apparatus described in Embodiment1, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 15. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 15. It should be noted that, in thesequence of determining a specific document shown in FIG. 25, processingfrom step S301a to step S304a is the same as that in FIG. 21 describedin Embodiment 11, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

The prescan is generally executed by lighting up the exposureilluminating unit 203 in the forward direction when the first scanner205 reciprocates over a document placed on the contact glass 201.Accordingly, in the backward direction for prescan, the first scanner205 is moved with the exposure illuminating unit 203 turned OFF.However, when determining a specific document by using detection signalsobtained in both the forward direction and the backward direction forprescan, with the above condition, the exposure illuminating unit 203 islit up in the forward direction for prescan but it is turned off in thebackward direction for prescan, which does resultantly differentiate adetection signal obtained in the forward direction for prescan from thatobtained in the backward direction for prescan because of influences ofthe temperature difference due to illumination or the like.

For this reason, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 15, when it is determined in step S302a thatmetallic fiber is not included in the document, the controller 180lights up the exposure illuminating unit 203 also in the backwarddirection for prescan (S701a), so that the processing for determining aspecific document is executed with the exposure illuminating unit 203lit up in the backward direction like in the forward direction forprescan.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 15,the exposure illuminating unit 203 is designed to be lit up also in thebackward direction when the first scanner 205 reciprocates for prescanover a document placed on the contact glass 201, so that influence ofthe temperature difference or the like generated in detection signalsbetween a case with illumination and a case without illumination can beremoved from the signals, which allows accuracy in determination of aspecific document to be improved.

It should be noted that, in Embodiment 15, the exposure illuminatingunit 203 is designed to be lit up when the processing for determining aspecific document is executed, but, conversely, the processing fordetermining a specific document may be executed with the exposureilluminating unit 203 being turned off. Description has been made onlyfor the exposure illuminating unit 203 in Embodiment 15, but it isdesirable to previously decide whether the condensation preventingheater 218 or the like should be turned ON or OFF when the processingfor determining a specific document is executed.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus (an image reading apparatus) according toEmbodiment 16, the first scanner 205 executes the processing fordetecting metallic fiber in the forward direction when reciprocating forprescan over a document placed on the contact glass 201 to makedetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using the detection signal obtained by the detectionprocessing, and executes again the processing for detecting metallicfiber in the backward direction for prescan when it is determined thatmetallic fiber is included in the document to make determination as towhether the document is a specific document or not by using thedetection signal obtained in the processing for detection, and further,the exposure illuminating unit 203 is lit up also in the backwarddirection for prescan like in the forward direction to execute theprocessing for determining a specific document under the sameconditions. It should be noted that the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 16 has the same construction as thatof the specific document determining apparatus described in Embodiment1, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 16. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 16. It should be noted that, in thesequence of determining a specific document shown in FIG. 26, processingfrom step S401a to step S404a is the same as that in FIG. 22 describedin Embodiment 12, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

The prescan is generally executed by lighting up the exposureilluminating unit 203 in the forward direction when the first scanner205 reciprocates over a document placed on the contact glass 201.Accordingly, in the backward direction for prescan, the first scanner205 is moved with the exposure illuminating unit 203 turned OFF.However, when determining a specific document by using detection signalsobtained in both the forward direction and the backward direction forprescan, with the above condition, the exposure illuminating unit 203 islit up in the forward direction for prescan but it is turned off in thebackward direction for prescan, which does resultantly differentiate adetection signal obtained in the forward direction for prescan from thatobtained in the backward direction for prescan because of influences ofthe temperature difference due to illumination or the like.

For this reason, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 16, when it is determined in step S402a thatmetallic fiber is included in the document, the controller 180 lights upthe exposure illuminating unit 203 also in the backward direction forprescan (S801a), so that the processing for determining a specificdocument is executed with the exposure illuminating unit 203 lit up inthe backward direction like in the forward direction for prescan.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 16,the exposure illuminating unit 203 is designed to be lit up also in thebackward direction when the first scanner 205 reciprocates for prescanover a document placed on the contact glass 201, so that influence ofthe temperature difference or the like generated in detection signalsbetween a case with illumination and a case without illumination can beremoved from the signals, which allows accuracy in determination of aspecific document to be improved.

It should be noted that, in Embodiment 16, the exposure illuminatingunit 203 is designed to be lit up when the processing for determining aspecific document is executed, but, conversely, the processing fordetermining a specific document may be executed with the exposureilluminating unit 203 being turned off. Description has been made onlyfor the exposure illuminating unit 203 in Embodiment 16, but it isdesirable to previously decide whether the condensation preventingheater 218 or the like should be turned ON or OFF when the processingfor determining a specific document is executed.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus (an image reading apparatus) according toEmbodiment 17, the first scanner 205 executes the processing fordetecting metallic fiber in both the forward direction and the backwarddirection when reciprocating for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201 to make determination as to whether the document is aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein or not by comparing the detection signal in theforward direction to that in the backward direction each obtained by thedetection processing, and further, the exposure illuminating unit 203 islit up also in the backward direction for prescan like in the forwarddirection to execute the processing for determining a specific documentunder the same conditions. It should be noted that the specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 17 has the sameconstruction as that of the specific document determining apparatusdescribed in Embodiment 1, so that description thereof is omittedherein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 17. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 17. It should be noted that, in thesequence of determining a specific document shown in FIG. 27, processingfrom step S501a to step S506a is the same as that in FIG. 23 describedin Embodiment 13, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

The prescan is generally executed by lighting up the exposureilluminating unit 203 in the forward direction when the first scanner205 reciprocates over a document placed on the contact glass 201.Accordingly, in the backward direction for prescan, the first scanner205 is moved with the exposure illuminating unit 203 turned OFF.However, when determining a specific document by using detection signalsobtained in both the forward direction and the backward direction forprescan, with the above condition, the exposure illuminating unit 203 islit up in the forward direction for prescan but it is turned off in thebackward direction for prescan, which does resultantly differentiate adetection signal obtained in the forward direction for prescan from thatobtained in the backward direction for prescan because of influences ofthe temperature difference due to illumination or the like.

For this reason, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 17, after the signal processing section 162makes the signal storing section 170 store therein a detection signalobtained in the forward direction for prescan in step S502a, thecontroller 180 lights up the exposure illuminating unit 203 also in thebackward direction for prescan (S901a), so that the processing fordetermining a specific document is executed with the exposureilluminating unit 203 lit up in the backward direction like in theforward direction for prescan.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 17,the exposure illuminating unit 203 is designed to be lit up also in thebackward direction when the first scanner 205 reciprocates for prescanover a document placed on the contact glass 201, so that influence ofthe temperature difference or the like generated in detection signalsbetween a case with illumination and a case without illumination can beremoved from the signals, which allows accuracy in determination of aspecific document to be improved.

It should be noted that, in Embodiment 17, the exposure illuminatingunit 203 is designed to be lit up when the processing for determining aspecific document is executed, but, conversely, the processing fordetermining a specific document may be executed with the exposureilluminating unit 203 being turned off. Description has been made onlyfor the exposure illuminating unit 203 in Embodiment 17, but it isdesirable to previously decide whether the condensation preventingheater 218 or the like should be turned ON or OFF when the processingfor determining a specific document is executed.

In a specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus (an image reading apparatus) according toEmbodiment 18, the first scanner 205 executes the processing fordetecting metallic fiber in both the forward direction and the backwarddirection when reciprocating for prescan over a document placed on thecontact glass 201 to make determination as to whether the document is aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein or not by subjecting the detection signals in theforward and the backward directions each obtained by the detectionprocessing to averaging processing, and further, the exposureilluminating unit 203 is lit up also in the backward direction forprescan like in the forward direction to execute the processing fordetermining a specific document under the same conditions. It should benoted that the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 18 has the same construction as that of the specific documentdetermining apparatus described in Embodiment 1, so that descriptionthereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 18. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 18. It should be noted that, in thesequence of determining a specific document shown in FIG. 28, processingfrom step S601a to step S606a is the same as that in FIG. 24 describedin Embodiment 14, so that only different points therefrom are explainedhereinafter.

The prescan is generally executed by lighting up the exposureilluminating unit 203 in the forward direction when the first scanner205 reciprocates over a document placed on the contact glass 201.Accordingly, in the backward direction for prescan, the first scanner205 is moved with the exposure illuminating unit 203 turned OFF.However, when determining a specific document by using detection signalsobtained in both the forward direction and the backward direction forprescan, with the above condition, the exposure illuminating unit 203 islit up in the forward direction for prescan but it is turned off in thebackward direction for prescan, which does resultantly differentiate adetection signal obtained in the forward direction for prescan from thatobtained in the backward direction for prescan because of influences ofthe temperature difference due to illumination or the like.

For this reason, in the specific document determining lo apparatusaccording to Embodiment 18, after the signal processing section 162makes the signal storing section 170 store therein a detection signalobtained in the forward direction for prescan in step S602a, thecontroller 180 lights up the exposure illuminating unit 203 also in thebackward direction for prescan (S1001a), so that the processing fordetermining a specific document is executed with the exposureilluminating unit 203 lit up in the backward direction like in theforward direction for prescan.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 18,the exposure illuminating unit 203 is designed to be lit up also in thebackward direction when the first scanner 205 reciprocates for prescanover a document placed on the contact glass 201, so that influence ofthe temperature difference or the like generated in detection signalsbetween a case with illumination and a case without illumination can beremoved from the signals, which allows accuracy in determination of aspecific document to be improved.

It should be noted that, in Embodiment 18, the exposure illuminatingunit 203 is designed to be lit up when the processing for determining aspecific document is executed, but, conversely, the processing fordetermining a specific document may be executed with the exposureilluminating unit 203 being turned off. Description has been made onlyfor the exposure illuminating unit 203 in Embodiment 18, but it isdesirable to previously decide whether the condensation preventingheater 218 or the like should be turned ON or OFF when the processingfor determining a specific document is executed.

A specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 19 comprise steps ofmaking the first scanner 205 execute reciprocating movements severaltimes in a state where a copying operation is suspended, and executingthe processing for detecting metallic fiber in the forward direction(and/or backward direction) for scanning of the reciprocating movementsto make determination as to whether the document is a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber includedtherein or not by making total determination thereof using severaldetection signals obtained in the processing for detection for severaltimes. It should be noted that the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 19 has the same construction as thatof the specific document determining apparatus described in Embodiment1, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 19. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 19.

The processing for determining a specific document is executed beforethe document is read out. At first the controller 180 makes the scannerunit 110 suspend a copying operation (S1101a).

Then, the controller 180 provides control to the first scanner 205 toreciprocate over the document, and in the forward direction forscanning, the microwave sensor 161 provided in the first scanner 205irradiates a microwave to and scans the document, detects a reflectedportion of the irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal forthe portion obtained in the forward direction for scanning correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162(S1102a). The processing is executed for a preset number of times, andseveral detection signals are outputted from the microwave sensor 161 tothe signal processing section 162 (S1103a). It should be noted that theprocessing for detecting metallic fiber is executed by the microwavesensor 161 in the forward direction for scanning herein, but theprocessing may be executed only in the backward direction or in both theforward and backward directions for scanning.

The signal processing section 162 receives the several detection signalsoutputted from the microwave sensor 161 and executes the processing fortotal determination to the received several detection signals (S1104a).Then, the signal processing section 162 makes determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using aresult of total determination (S1105a). It should be noted that theaveraging processing described in Embodiment 14 may be subjected to thesignals as the processing for total determination executed in stepS1104a and step S1105a.

In step S1105a, when it is determined that metallic fiber is included inthe document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein. On the other hand, when it is determined that themetallic fiber is not included in the document, a result ofdetermination is reported to the controller 180 and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document but an ordinarydocument.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 19,the microwave sensor 161 executes the detecting operation several timesto make total determination of the document by using several detectionsignals, so that accuracy in determination of a specific document can beimproved. Further, the microwave sensor 161 executes the detectingoperation several times, so that it is possible to remove a sporadicnoise and influences generated when metallic fiber rises in temperaturedue to radiation heat from a lamp or the like on a reflected wave fromthe signals.

It should be noted that, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 19, the signal processing section 162 makesdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using detection signals from the microwave sensor 161 and thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the document is aspecific document or not according to a result of determination in thesignal processing section 162, but all of the processing fordetermination may be performed by the signal processing section 162.

A specific document determining method and a specific documentdetermining apparatus according to Embodiment 20 comprises steps ofexecuting the processing for detecting metallic fiber in the forwarddirection when the first scanner 205 reciprocates over a document platedon the contact glass 201 for prescan to make determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in the document or not by using the detectionsignal obtained in the processing for detection, making the firstscanner 205 perform reciprocating movements over the document severaltimes in a state where a copying operation is suspended when it isdetermined that metallic fiber is included in the document, andexecuting the processing for detecting metallic fiber in the forwarddirection (and/or backward direction) for scanning of the reciprocatingmovements to make determination as to whether the document is a specificdocument or not by making total determination of the several detectionsignals obtained in the processing for detection several times. Itshould be noted that the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 20 has the same construction as that of thespecific document determining apparatus described in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for processing of determining a specificdocument by the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 20. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processingfor determining a specific document in the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 20.

The processing for determining a specific document is, at first,executed simultaneously when prescan is executed. In the forwarddirection (or backward direction) when the first scanner 205reciprocates over the document placed on the contact glass 201 forprescan, the microwave sensor 161 provided in the first scanner 205irradiates a microwave to and scans the document, detects a reflectedportion of the irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal forthe portion obtained in the forward direction for prescan correspondingto a level of the reflected wave to the signal processing section 162(S1201a).

The signal processing section 162 receives the detection signal obtainedin the forward direction for prescan to make determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in the document or not by using the receiveddetection signal obtained in the forward direction for prescan (S1202a).When it is determined in step S1202a that metallic fiber is not includedin the document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is not aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein but an ordinary document.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1202a that metallicfiber is included in the document, a result of determination is reportedto the controller 180. Then the controller 180 makes the scanner unit110 suspend the copying operation (S1203a).

Then, the controller 180 provides control to the first scanner 205 toreciprocate over the document, and in the forward direction forscanning, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scansthe document, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave,and outputs a detection signal for the portion obtained in the forwarddirection for scanning corresponding to a level of the reflected wave tothe signal processing section 162 (S1204a). Then, the processing isexecuted for a preset number of times, and several detection signals areoutputted from the microwave sensor 161 to the signal processing section162 (S1205a). It should be noted that the processing for detection isexecuted by the microwave sensor 161 in the forward direction forprescan herein, but the processing may be executed only in the backwarddirection or in both the forward and backward directions for prescan.

The signal processing section 162 receives the several detection signalsoutputted from the microwave sensor 161 and executes the processing fortotal determination to the received several detection signals (S1206a).Then, the signal processing section 162 makes determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using aresult of total determination (S1207a). It should be noted that theaveraging processing described in Embodiment 14 may be subjected to thesignals as the processing for total determination executed in stepS1104a and step S1105a.

In step S1207a, when it is determined that metallic fiber is included inthe document, a result of determination is reported to the controller180, and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein. On the other hand, when it is determined that themetallic fiber is not included in the document, a result ofdetermination is reported to the controller 180 and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document but an ordinarydocument.

As described above, with the specific document determining method andthe specific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 20,when it is determined in one processing for determining a specificdocument that the document is a specific document, the microwave sensor161 executes the detecting operation several times to make totaldetermination of the document by using several detection signals, sothat accuracy in determination of a specific document can be improved.Also, when it is determined in one processing for determining a specificdocument that the document is not a specific document, the processingthereafter is not executed, so that it is possible to simplifycontrolling and to execute high-speed processing of determination.Further, the microwave sensor 161 executes the operation of detectionseveral times, so that it is possible to remove a sporadic noise andinfluences generated when metallic fiber rises in temperature due toradiation heat from a lamp or the like on a reflected wave from thesignals.

It should be noted that, in the specific document determining apparatusaccording to Embodiment 20, the signal processing section 162 makesdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using detection signals from the microwave sensor 161 and thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the document is aspecific document or not according to a result of determination in thesignal processing section 162, but all of the processing fordetermination may be performed by the signal processing section 162.Also, a timing of processing for determining a specific document is setto the time of prescan in Embodiment 20, but the timing is notrestricted to the above timing.

Each of the methods of determining a specific document described inEmbodiments 11 to 20 can be programmed to enable storage thereof in acomputer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, aCD-ROM, and DVD.

As described above, with the specific document determining methodaccording to the present invention, the method comprises a first step ofirradiating a microwave to the document in both the forward and backwarddirections for scanning, detecting a reflected portion thereof, andoutputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to andscanning the document and detecting a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingdetection signals for reflected waves in both the forward and backwarddirections for scanning detected in the first step; and a third step formaking determination, according to a result of determination in thesecond step, as to whether the document is the specific document or not,so that interference elements such as each direction of irradiation andreflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, and external noises canbe removed from detection signals, which allows processing fordetermination of a specific document with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, the method comprises a first step of executing the scanningand detection of a reflected wave several times and outputting detectionsignals for reflected waves detected several times when irradiating amicrowave to and scanning the document and detecting a reflected portionof the irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingdetection signals for reflected waves detected several times in thefirst step; and a third step of making determination as to whether thedocument is the specific document or not according to a result ofdetermination in the second step, so that interference elements such aseach direction of irradiation and reflection of a microwave,temperature, signals, and external noises can be removed from detectionsignals, which allows processing for determination of a specificdocument with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, the method comprises a first step of irradiating a microwaveto and scanning the document, detecting a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave, and outputting a detected signal; a second step ofmaking determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in thedocument or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wavedetected in the first step; and a third step of determining that thedocument is not the specific document when it is determined in thesecond step that metallic fiber is not included in the document; afourth step of executing the scanning and detection of the reflectedwave several times and outputting detection signals for reflected wavesdetected several times when it is determined in the second step thatmetallic fiber is included in the document; a fifth step of makingdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using the detection signals for the reflected waves detectedseveral times in the fourth step; and a sixth step of makingdetermination as to whether the document is the specific document or notaccording to a result of determination in the fifth step, so thatinterference elements such as each direction of irradiation andreflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, and external noises canbe removed from detection signals, which allows processing fordetermination of a specific document with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, when determining whether metallic fiber is included in thedocument or not, a difference signal for detection signals for reflectedwaves in the forward and backward directions for scanning is obtained,and determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included inthe document or not by comparing the difference signal to a prespecifiedthreshold value, so that interference elements such as each direction ofirradiation and reflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, andexternal noises can be removed from detection signals, which allowsprocessing for determination of a specific document with high accuracyto be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in the document or not, an average value signal is obtained byaveraging detection signals for reflected waves detected several timesand determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included inthe document or not by comparing the average value signal to aprespecified threshold value, so that interference elements such as eachdirection of irradiation and reflection of a microwave, temperature,signals, and external noises can be removed from detection signals,which allows processing for determination of a specific document withhigh accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, the method comprises a first step of irradiating a microwaveto the document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting thereflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating amicrowave to and scanning the document and detecting a reflectionportion of the irradiated microwave; a second step of makingdetermination as to whether metallic fiber is included in the documentor not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave detected inthe forward direction for scanning detected in the first step; a thirdstep of determining that the document is the specific document when itis determined in the second step that metallic fiber is included in thedocument; a fourth step of irradiating a microwave to the document inthe backward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, andoutputting a detection signal when it is determined in the second stepthat metallic fiber is not included in the document; a fifth step ofmaking determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in thedocument or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave inthe backward direction for scanning detected in the fourth step; and asixth step of making determination as to whether the document is thespecific document or not according to a result of determination in thefifth step, so that an interference element due to influence of eachdirection of irradiation and reflection of a microwave can be removedfrom detection signals, which allows processing for determination of aspecific document with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, the method comprises a first step of irradiating a microwaveto the document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting thereflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating amicrowave to and scanning the document and detecting a reflected portionof the irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using thedetection signal for the reflected wave in the forward direction forscanning detected in the first step; a third step of determining thatthe document is not the specific document when it is determined in thesecond step that metallic fiber is not included in the document; afourth step of irradiating a microwave for the document in the forwarddirection for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting adetection signal when it is determined in the second step that metallicfiber is included in the document; a fifth step for making determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingthe detection signal for the reflected wave in the backward directionfor scanning detected in the fourth step; and a sixth step of makingdetermination as to whether the document is the specific document or notaccording to a result of determination in the fifth step, so thatinterference elements due to influence of each direction of irradiationand reflection of a microwave can be removed from detection signals,which allows processing for determination of a specific document withhigh accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining method according to the presentinvention, a light for illumination is always lit under the sameconditions upon execution of scanning and detection of a reflected wavewhen irradiating a microwave to and scanning the document and detectinga reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, if a light forillumination is lit for reading the document, so that interferenceelements due to influence of temperature or the like can be removed fromdetection signals, which allows processing for determination of aspecific document with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus comprises a detector for irradiating amicrowave to the document in both the forward and backward directionsfor scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detectionsignal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning the document anddetecting a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave; a firstdetermining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiberis included in the document or not by using detection signals forreflected waves in both the forward and backward directions for scanningdetected by the detector; and a second determining unit for makingdetermination as to whether the document is the specific document or notaccording to a result of determination by the first determining unit, sothat interference elements such as each direction of irradiation andreflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, and external noises canbe removed from detection signals, which allows processing fordetermination of a specific document with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus comprises a detector for executing thescanning and detection of reflected waves several times and outputtingdetection signals for reflected waves detected several times whenirradiating a microwave to and scanning the document and detecting areflected portion of the irradiated microwave; a first determining unitfor making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in thedocument or not by using the detection signals for reflected wavesdetected several times by the detector; and a second determining unitfor making determination as to whether the document is the specificdocument or not according to a result of determination by the firstdetermining unit, so that interference elements such as each directionof irradiation and reflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, andexternal noises can be removed from detection signals, which allowsprocessing for determination of a specific document with high accuracyto be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus comprises a detector for irradiating amicrowave to and scanning the document, detecting a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputting a detection signal; a firstdetermining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiberis included in the document or not by using a detection signal for thereflected wave detected by the detector; and a second determining unitfor determining that the document is not the specific document when itis determined by the first determining unit that metallic fiber is notincluded in the document, and the detector executes the scanning anddetection of reflected waves several times and outputs the detectionsignals for the reflected waves when it is determined by the firstdetermining unit that metallic fiber is included in the document; thefirst determining unit makes determination as to whether metallic fiberis included in the document or not by using the detection signals forthe reflected waves detected several times by the detector; and thesecond determining unit makes determination as to whether the documentis the specific document or not according to a result of determinationby the first determining unit, so that interference elements such aseach direction of irradiation and reflection of a microwave,temperature, signals, and external noises can be removed from detectionsignals, which allows processing for determination of a specificdocument with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the first determining unit obtains a differencesignal for detection signals for reflected waves detected in both theforward and backward directions for scanning and makes determination asto whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not bycomparing the difference signal to a prespecified threshold value whenmaking determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in thedocument or not, so that interference elements such as each direction ofirradiation and reflection of a microwave, temperature, signals, andexternal noises can be removed from detection signals, which allowsprocessing for determination of a specific document with high accuracyto be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the first determining unit obtains an average valuesignal by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detectedseveral times and makes determination as to whether metallic fiber isincluded in the document by comparing the average value signal to aprespecified threshold value when making determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in the document or not, so that interferenceelements such as each direction of irradiation and reflection of amicrowave, temperature, signals, and external noises can be removed fromdetection signals, which allows processing for determination of aspecific document with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus comprises a detector for irradiating amicrowave to the document in the forward direction for scanning,detecting a reflected portion thereof, and outputting a detection signalwhen irradiating a microwave to and scanning the document and detectinga reflected portion of the irradiating microwave; a first determiningunit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is includedin the document or not by using a detection signal for the reflectedwave detected by the detector in the forward direction for scanning; anda second detecting unit for determining that the document is thespecified document when it is determined by the first determining unitthat metallic fiber is included in the document, and the detectorirradiates a microwave to the document in the backward direction forscanning, detects the reflected wave, and outputs a detection signalwhen it is determined by the first detecting unit that metallic fiber isnot included in the document; the first determining unit determineswhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using adetection signal for the reflected wave detected by the detector in thebackward direction for scanning; and the second determining unit makesdetermination as to whether the document is the specific document or notaccording to a result of determination by the first determining unit, sothat interference elements due to influence of each direction ofirradiation and reflection of a microwave can be removed from detectionsignals, which allows processing for determination of a specificdocument with high accuracy to be executed.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the apparatus comprises a detector for irradiating amicrowave to the document in the forward direction for scanning,detecting a reflected wave thereof, and outputting a detection signalwhen irradiating a microwave to and scanning the document and detectinga reflected portion of the irradiated microwave; a first detecting meansfor determining whether metallic fiber is included in the document ornot by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by thedetector in the forward direction for scanning; and a second determiningunit for determining that the document is not the specific document whenit is determined by the first determining unit that metallic fiber isnot included in the document, and when it is determined by the firstdetermining unit that metallic fiber is included in the document, thedetector irradiates a microwave to the document in the backwarddirection for scanning, detects the reflected wave, and outputs adetection signal; the first determining unit makes determination as towhether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by using adetection signal for the reflected wave detected by the detector in thebackward direction for scanning; and the second determining unit makesdetermination as to whether the document is the specific document or notaccording to a result of determination by the first determining unit, sothat interference elements due to influence of each direction ofirradiation and reflection of a microwave can be removed from detectionsignals, which allows processing for determination of a specificdocument with high accuracy to be executed.

With the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, inthe image reading apparatus comprising a reader for optically reading animage of a document; and a specific document determining unit for makingdetermination as to whether the document is a specific document such asbills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein ornot, the specific document determining unit comprises the specificdocument determining apparatus, and the detector in the specificdocument determining apparatus always turns ON or OFF an illuminationlight for the reader in all scanning and detection of reflected waveswhen irradiating a microwave to and scanning the document and detectinga reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, so that interferenceelements due to influence of temperature or the like can be removed fromdetection signals, which allows processing for determination of aspecific document with high accuracy to be executed.

Further, with the computer-readable recording medium according to thepresent invention, a program for execution of the specific documentdetermining method is stored therein, so that the program itself of themethod can appropriately be protected.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 21 ofthe preset invention. The image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining apparatus shown in FIG. 31 comprises a scanner unit110 for reading RGB color image data from a document; an image processor120 for receiving the color image data from the scanner unit 110 andsubjecting the data to γ-correction, RGB/YMCK conversion, gray-scaleprocessing or the like; a write processing unit 130 for making the laserdiode (LD) 131 emit a light to execute the image write processing; aprinter unit 140 for recording a color image on recording paper using alight for writing from the LD 131; an operating unit 150 for inputtingvarious types of mode and displaying massages or the like; a documentdetermining unit 160 for making determination as to whether a documentis a specific document such as bills and marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein or not by irradiating a microwave to adocument and using a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave; apressure plate open state detecting unit 190b for detecting that thepressure plate pressing a document to a document base has been opened;and a controller 180 for controlling each of the above components.

In FIG. 31, the scanner unit 110 comprises a read sensor 111 such as aCCD sensor for reading color image data, and a read signal processingsection 112 for subjecting the color image data as an analog signaloutputted from the read sensor 111 to signal processing such asconversion of the data to a digital signal or the like and outputtingthe signal to the image processor 120.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the scanner unit 110. In FIG. 32, thereference numerals 301Ra, 301Rb, 301Ga, 301Gb, 301Ba and 301Bb indicateamplifiers each for amplifying an even number or an odd number RGBsignal (analog signal herein) obtained by reading color data from adocument; reference numerals 302Ra, 302Rb, 302Ga, 302Gb, 302Ba, and302Bb indicate A/D converters each for converting an analog RGB signalfor a digital RGB signal; the reference numerals 303R, 303G, and 303Bindicate synthesizing circuits each for synthesizing an even number oran odd number RGB signal; the reference numerals 304R, 304G, and 304Bindicate shading correction circuit for executing shading correction forRGB signals; and the reference numerals 305, 306, and 307 indicate aninter-line correction memory for adjusting a timing for transferring theRGB signal.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the image processor 120. In FIG. 33,designated at the reference numeral 311 is a correction processingsection for subjecting received RGB signals to the dot correction orγ-correction, at 312 to 314 delay memories respectively, at 315 an ACS,at 316 a character/dot separating section, at 317 a color convertingsection for executing color conversion using an RGB filter, at 318 asize changing section, at 319 a creating section, at 320 a gray scaleprocessing section for executing the γ-gray scale processing for aprinter with a YMCK filter, at 321 an area processing section, at 322 awrite processing section for generating a write signal.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing the write processing unit 130 in theimage reading apparatus shown in FIG. 31. In FIG. 34, the referencenumeral 331 indicates a digital processing section, and the referencenumeral 332 indicates an analog processing section which receives awrite signal, subjects the write signal to LD demodulation, and makesthe LD 131 emit a light.

The printer unit 140 comprises, as shown in FIG. 31, a an image formingsection (not shown) comprising a light-sensing drum, an electrifier, anddeveloping unit, and an output load section 141 including a motor fordriving the components as described above, a clutch, and a solenoid,various types of sensors 142 for detecting a surface potential of thelight-sensing drum or toner density, and an I/O port 143 for controllinginput/output of specified signals.

The document determining unit 160 comprises, as shown in FIG. 31, amicrowave sensor 161 for irradiating a microwave to a document,detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signalcorresponding to a level of the reflected wave, and a signal processingsection 162 for receiving the detection signal outputted from themicrowave sensor 161, subjecting the received detection signal to aspecified signal processing, and making determination as to whether thedocument is a specific document such as bills or marketable securitieswith metallic fiber included therein or not.

Configuration of a document reading system in the image readingapparatus is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, so that descriptionthereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatuswith the specific document determining function having the configurationas described above in the order of "an operation in the processing fordetermining a specific document" and "an operation for reading animage".

(Operation in the processing for determining a specific document)

In the image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 21 of the present invention, theprocessing for determining a specific document is executed when colorimage data is read from a document. In Embodiment 21, it is assumed thatthe processing for determining a specific document is carried out whenexecuting a prescan for detecting a size of the document or a tonerdensity thereon. However, the timing for executing the processing for aspecific document is not always limited to the time when prescan isexecuted.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a sequence for microwave output controlexecuted in the processing for determining a specific document by theimage reading apparatus according to Embodiment 21. When reading ofcolor image data is instructed, prescan is executed, and at the sametime the processing for determining a specific document is executed. Inthis step, the controller 180 reads a subroutine for the microwaveoutput control processing, and makes determination as to whether theprocessing for determining a specific document is currently beingexecuted or not (S601b).

If it is determined in step S601b that the processing for determining aspecific document is not being executed currently, a microwave is notoutputted from the microwave sensor 161, and system control goes to thenext step (S604b).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S601b that the processingfor determining a specific document is currently being executed,determination is made as to whether the pressure plate 202 has beenopened or closed (S602b). Whether the pressure plate 202 has been openedor closed can be checked according to a detection signal outputted froma pressure plate open state detecting unit 190b. Namely the pressureplate open state detecting unit 190b always monitors whether thepressure plate is open or closed, and if it is detected that thepressure plate 202 is opened, the pressure plate open state detectingunit 190b outputs a detection signal indicating that the pressure plate202 is in the open state to the controller 180. When the controller 180receives the detection signal, it can determines whether the pressureplate 202 is in the open state or in the closed state.

When it is determined in step S602b that the pressure plate 202 is inthe open state, the controller 180 shifts to the next step (S604b)without making the microwave sensor 161 output a microwave. Namely, thecontroller 180 stops the processing for determining a specific documentby the document determining unit 160.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S602b that the pressureplate 202 is in the closed state, the controller 180 makes the microwavesensor 161 output a microwave (S603b). Namely, the controller 180 makesthe document determining unit 160 execute the processing for determininga specific document continuously.

Then the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument to be determined, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal for the reflected wave. Thesignal processing section 162 receives a detection signal outputted fromthe microwave sensor 161, and makes determination as to whether anymetallic fiber is included in the document or not by using the receiveddetection signal. When it is determined that metallic fiber is includedin the document, a result is reported to the controller 180, and thecontroller 180 determines that the document is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein.On the other hand, when it is determined by the signal processingsection 162 that metallic fiber is not included in the document, aresult is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included herein, and that thedocument is an ordinary document.

Even while the microwave sensor 161 is irradiating a microwave to andscanning a document, the controller 180 repeatedly reads a subroutinefor the microwave output control processing at a specified timing, andexecutes the microwave output control processing in steps S601b to stepS604b. As a result, when it is determined in step S602b that thepressure plate 202 is in the open state, it stops output of a microwaveeven during execution of the processing for determining a specificdocument (S604b). Namely, the controller 180 stops the processing fordetermining a specific document by the document determining unit 180.

When the processing for determining a specific document is finished, thecontrollers 180 determines in step S601 that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not being executed, stops output of amicrowave from the microwave sensor 161, and executes, for instance, theprocessing for reading color image data from the document to bedetermined.

(Operation for reading a document)

After prescan is executed, in other words after the processing fordetermining a specific document is executed, an operation for reading animage is actually started. To read color image data from a document, thefirst scanner 205 is moved reciprocally, and a light is irradiated fromthe exposure illuminating unit 203 in the forward direction forscanning. A reflected light from the document is reflected by the firstmirror 204, and is introduced into the second scanner 208. The reflectedlight introduced into second scanner 208 is reflected by the secondmirror 206 and the third mirror 207, and is introduced into the imagereading section 213. The reflected light introduced into the imagereading section 213 passes through the filter 209 and lens 210, and isintroduced into the CCD 212. In the CCD 212, the reflected light isconverted to color image data as electric signals, and is inputted intothe read signal processing section 112.

The color image data is subjected to specified processing in the readsignal processing unit 112 as well as in the image processor 120, and isoutputted as a laser beam from the write processing unit 130. Theprinter unit 140 forms a color image using the laser beam outputted fromthe write processing unit 130, and transfers the formed color image ontorecording paper.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 21 of the presentinvention, during the processing for determining a specific document, ifit is determined that the pressure plate 202 is in the open state,output of a microwave is stopped, so that it is possible to prevent ahuman body from being directly exposed to a microwave.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to Embodiment 22 of thepresent invention. It should be noted that, in the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function shown inFIG. 36, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components asshown in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 21, and description thereofis omitted herein.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 22 has a human body detecting unit 710bfor detecting presence of a man near the image reading apparatus inplace of the pressure plate open state detecting unit 190b in the imagereading apparatus according to Embodiment 21.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatushaving the specific document determining function with the configurationas described above. In the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 22, the pressingfor determining a specific document is executed when color image data isread from a document. In Embodiment 22, the processing for determining aspecific document is executed when prescan is carried out to detect asize of a document or an image density thereon. However, the timing forexecuting the processing for determining a specific document is notalways limited to the time when prescan is executed.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart for the microwave output control sequenceexecuted when the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted by the image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 22. Whenit is instructed to read color image data, prescan is executed, and atthe same time the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted. In this step, the controller 180 reads out a subroutine forexecution of the microwave output control processing, and makesdetermination as to whether the processing for determining a specificdocument is currently being executed or not (S810b).

In step S810b, when it is determined that the processing for determininga specific document is not being executed, system control shifts to thenext step without making the microwave sensor 161 output a microwave(S804b).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S801b that theprocessing for determining a specific document is currently beingexecuted, determination is made as to whether aman is present near theimage reading apparatus or not (S802b). Whether a man is present nearthe image reading apparatus or not can be checked according to adetection signal outputted from the human body detecting unit 710b.Namely, the human body detecting unit 710b always monitors whether a manis present near the image reading apparatus or not, and when a humanbody is detected, the human body detecting unit 710b outputs a detectionsignal indicating presence of a human body to the controller 180. Whenreceiving the detection signal, the controller 180 can check whether aman is present near the image reading apparatus or not.

When it is determined in step S802b that a man is present near the imagereading apparatus, the controller 180 goes to the next step withoutmaking the microwave sensor 161 output a microwave (S804b). Namely, thecontroller 180 stops the processing for determining a specific documentby the document determining unit 160.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S802b that a man is notpresent near the image reading apparatus, the controller 180 makes themicrowave sensor 161 output a microwave (S803b). Namely the controller180 makes the document determining unit 160 execute the processing fordetermining a specific document continuously.

And, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument to be determined, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal for the reflected wave. Thesignal processing section 162 receives the detection signal outputtedfrom the microwave sensor 161, and makes determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in the document or not by using the receiveddetection signal. When it is determined that metallic fiber is notincluded in the document, a result is reported to the controller 180,and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein. On the other hand, when it is determined by the signalprocessing section 162 that metallic fiber is not included therein, aresult is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities, and that the document is an ordinary document.

Even while the microwave sensor 161 is irradiating a microwave to andscanning a document, the controller 180 repeatedly reads out asubroutine for the microwave output control processing at a specifiedtiming, and executes the microwave output control processing in stepS801b to step S804b. As a result, when it is determined in step S802bthat a man is present near the image reading apparatus, even duringexecution of the processing for determining a specific document, outputof a microwave is stopped (S804b). Namely, the controller 180 stops theprocessing for determining a specific document by the documentdetermining unit 160 during the operation.

When the processing for determining a specific document is finished, thecontroller 180 determines in step S801b that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not currently being executed, makesthe microwave sensor 161 stop output of a microwave, and executes, forinstance, the processing for reading color image data from a document tobe determined.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 22 of the presentinvention, when it is determined that a man is present near the imagereading apparatus, it is possible to prevent a microwave from beingdirectly irradiated to a human body.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing the image reading apparatus havingthe specific document determining function according to Embodiment 23 ofthe present invention. It should be noted that, in the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function shown inFIG. 38, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same componentsas those in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 21 as well as in thataccording to Embodiment 22, and description thereof is omitted herein.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 23 comprises a pressure plate openstate detecting unit 190b for detecting that the pressure plate 202 forpressing a document to a contact glass 201 has been opened, and a humanbody detecting unit 710b for detecting that a man is present near theimage reading apparatus.

Next description is made for the image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function with the configuration asdescribed above. In the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 23, the processingfor determining a specific document is executed when color image data isread from a document. In Embodiment 23, the processing for determining aspecific document is executed when prescan for detecting a size of adocument or an image density thereon is executed. However the timing forexecution of the processing for determining a specific document is notalways limited to the time when prescan is executed.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the microwave output control sequenceexecuted when the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted by the image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 23. Whenit is instructed to read color image data, prescan is executed, and atthe same time the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted. In this step, the controller 180 reads out a subroutine forthe microwave output control processing, and makes determination as towhether the processing for determining a specific document is currentlybeing executed or not (S1001b).

In step S1001b, when it is determined that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not currently being executed, systemcontrol shifts to the next step without making the microwave sensor 161output a microwave (S1005b).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the processing fordetermining a specific document is currently being executed,determination is made as to whether the pressure plate 202 is open orclosed (S1002b). Whether the pressure plate 202 is open or closed can bechecked according to a detection signal outputted from the pressureplate open state detecting unit 190b. Namely, the pressure plate openstate detecting unit 190b always monitors whether the pressure plate 202has been opened or closed, and when the pressure plate 202 is opened,the pressure plate open state detecting unit 190b outputs a detectionsignal indicating that the pressure plate 202 has been opened to thecontroller 180. When the controller 180 receives this detection signal,the controller 180 can determine whether the pressure plate 202 has beenopened or not.

When it is determined in step S1002b that the pressure plate 202 hasbeen closed, the controller 180 makes the microwave sensor 161 output amicrowave (S1003b). Namely, the controller 180 makes the documentdetermining unit 160 execute the processing for determining a specificdocument continuously.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1002b that thepressure plate has been opened, the controller 180 determines whether aman is present near the image reading apparatus or not (S1004b). Whethera man is preset near the image reading apparatus or not can be checkedaccording to a detection signal outputted from the human body detectingunit 710b. namely the human body detecting unit 710b always monitorswhether a man is present near the image reading apparatus or not, andwhen a human body is detected, the human body detecting unit 710boutputs a detection signal indicating that a man is present near theimage reading apparatus to the controller 180. The controller 180 candetermine whether a man is present near the image reading apparatus ornot by receiving this detection signal.

When it is determined in step S1004b that a man is present near theimage reading apparatus, the controller 180 shifts to the next stepwithout making the microwave sensor 161 output a microwave (S1005b).Namely, the controller 180 stops the processing for determining aspecific document by the document determining unit 160.

When it is determined in step 1004b that a man is not present near theimage reading apparatus, the controller 180 makes the microwave sensor161 output a microwave (S1003b). Namely, the controller 180 makes thedocument determining unit 160 execute the processing for determining aspecific document continuously.

And, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument to be determined, detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave, and outputs a detection signal for the reflected wave. Thesignal processing section 162 receives the detection signal outputtedfrom the microwave sensor 161, and makes determination as to whethermetallic fiber is included in the document or not by using the receiveddetection signal. When it is determined that metallic fiber is includedin the document, a result is reported to the controller 180, and thecontroller 180 determines that the document is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein.On the other hand, when it is determined in the signal processingsection 162 that metallic fiber is not included in the document, aresult is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein, but anordinary document.

Even while the microwave sensor 161 is irradiating a microwave to andscanning a document, the controller 180 repeatedly reads out asubroutine for the microwave output control processing at a specifiedtiming, and executes the microwave output control processing in stepS1001b to step 1005b. As a result, when it is determined in step S1002bthat the pressure plate 202 is open, and at the same time when it isdetermined in step S1004b that a man is present near the image readingapparatus, even during execution of the processing for determining aspecific document, output of a microwave is stopped (S1005b). Namely,the controller 180 stops the processing for determining a specificdocument by the document determining unit 160.

When the processing for determining a specific document is finished, thecontroller 180 determines in step S1001b that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not currently being executed, stopsoutput of a microwave from the microwave sensor 161, and executes, forinstance, the processing for reading color image data from the documentto be determined.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 23, when the factthat the pressure plate 202 has been opened is detected and at the sametime the fact that a man is present near the image reading apparatus isdetected, output of a microwave is stopped, so that a microwave isprevented from being directly irradiated to a human body.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 24 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to any of Embodiments 21 to 23 of thepresent invention in the point that, when irradiation of a microwave isstopped, namely when the processing for determining a specific documentis stopped, an operation for reading image data from a document isstopped. It should be noted that configuration of the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 24 is the same as that of the image reading apparatus havingthe specific document determining function according to any ofEmbodiments 21 to 23, so that description thereof is omitted herein, anddescription is made below for operations of the image reading apparatushaving the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 21.

In the image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 24, the processing for determining aspecific document is executed when color image data is read from adocument. In Embodiment 24, it is assumed that the processing fordetermining a specific document is executed when prescan is executed todetect a size of a document or an image density thereof. The timing is,however, not always limited to the time when prescan is executed.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the microwave output control sequenceexecuted when the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted by the image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 24. Whenit is instructed to read color image data, prescan is executed, and atthe same time the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted. In this step, the controller 180 reads out a subroutine forthe processing for microwave output control, and makes determination asto whether the processing for determining a specific document is notbeing executed or not (S1101b).

When it is determined in step S1101b that the processing for determininga specific document is not being executed currently, system controlshifts to the next step without making the microwave sensor 161 output amicrowave (S1105b).

When it is determined in step S1101b that the processing for determininga specific document is currently being executed, determination is madeas to whether the pressure plate 202 is in the open state or not(S1102b). Whether the pressure plate 202 is in the open state or in theclosed state can be checked according to a detection signal outputtedfrom the pressure plate open state detecting unit 190b. Namely, thepressure plate open state detecting unit 190b always monitors whetherthe pressure plate 202 is opened or closed, and when the pressure plate202 is opened, the pressure plate open state detecting unit 190b outputsa detection signal indicating that the pressure plate 202 has beenopened to the controller 180. When the controller 180 receives thedetection signal, the controller can determine whether the pressureplate 202 is open or closed.

When it is determined in step S1102b that the pressure plate 202 is inthe open state, the controller 180 stops an operation for reading colorimage data from a document, after prescan is finished, by the scannerunit 110 (S1104b). After the controller 180 stops an operation forreading color image data, the controller 180 shifts to the next stepwithout making the microwave sensor 161 output a microwave (S1105b).Namely, the controller 180 stops the processing for determining aspecific document by the document determining unit 160.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1102b that thepressure plate 202 is in the closed state, the controller 180 makes themicrowave sensor 161 output a microwave (S1103b). Namely, the controller180 makes the document determining unit 160 execute the processing fordetermining a specific document continuously.

Then the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument as an object to be determined, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal for thedetected wave. The signal processing section 162 receives the detectionsignal outputted from the microwave sensor 161, and makes determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included or not in the document by usingthe received detection signal. When it is determined that metallic fiberis included in the document, a result is reported to the controller 180,and the controller 180 determines that the document is a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiberincluded therein. On the other hand, when it is determined in the signalprocessing section 162 that metallic fiber is not included therein, aresult is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein and that thedocument is an ordinary document.

Even while the microwave sensor 161 is irradiating a microwave to andscanning a document, the controller 180 repeatedly reads out asubroutine for the microwave output control processing at a prespecifiedtiming, and executes the microwave output control processing in stepS1101b to step S1105b. As a result, when it is determined in step S1102bthat the pressure plate 202 is in the open state, even when theprocessing for determining a specific document is being executed, thecontroller 180 stops the operation for reading color image data from thedocument (S1104b), and also stops output of a microwave (S1105b).Namely, the controller 180 stops the processing for determining aspecific document by the document determining unit 160.

When the processing for determining a specific document is finished, thecontroller 180 determines in step S1101b that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not being executed, stops output of amicrowave, and executes, for instance, the processing for reading colorimage data from the document as an object to be determined.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 24, as irradiationof a microwave can be stopped, even when the processing for determininga specific document cannot be executed, an operation for reading theoperation for reading image data is stopped and the processing forforming an image is disabled, so that it is possible to prevent aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied. Also as irradiation of a microwave can be stopped, itis possible to prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated to ahuman body.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 25 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to any of Embodiments 21 to 23 in thepoint that, after irradiation of a microwave is stopped, when image datais read from a document, an image processing is executed to the imagedata so that the read image data is differentiated from image data forthe document. It should be noted that configuration of the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 25 is the same as that of the image reading apparatus havingthe specific document determining function according to any ofEmbodiments 21 to 23, so that description thereof is omitted herein, butdescription is made hereinafter for configuration of the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 21.

In the image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 25, the processing for determining aspecific document is executed when color image data is read from adocument. In Embodiment 25, the processing for determining a specificdocument is executed when prescan is executed to detect a size of adocument or an image density thereon. However, the timing for executionof the processing for determining a specific document is not alwayslimited to the time when prescan is executed.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the microwave output control sequenceexecuted when the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted by the image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 25. Whenit is instructed to read color image data, prescan is executed and atthe same time the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted. In this step, the controllers 180 reads out a subroutine forthe microwave output control processing, and makes determinations as towhether the processing for determining a specific document is currentlybeing executed or not (S1201b).

When it is determined in step S1201b that the processing for determininga specific document is not currently being executed, system controlshifts to the next step without making the microwave sensor 161 output amicrowave (S1205b).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1201b that theprocessing for determining a specific document is currently beingexecuted, determination is made as to whether the pressure plate 202 isin the open state or in the closed state (S1202b). Whether the pressureplate 202 is in the open state or in the closed state can be checkedaccording to a detection signal outputted from the pressure plate openstate detecting unit 190b. Namely the pressure plate open statedetecting unit 190b always monitors whether the pressure plate 202 isopen or closed, and when the pressure plate 202 is opened, the pressureplate open state detecting unit 190b outputs a detection signalindicating that the pressure plate 202 is open to the controller 180.The controller 180 can determine whether the pressure plate 202 is inthe open state or not by receiving the detection signal.

When it is determined in step S1202b that the pressure plate 202 is inthe open state, the controller 180 executes subroutine for changing theimage processing for subjecting the color image data to the imageprocessing so that the color image data read from a document afterprescan is finished will be differentiated from the image data for thedocument (S1204b). Namely, the controller 180 changes parameters for theimage processing by the image processor 120.

Then the controller 180 shifts to the next step without making themicrowave sensor 161 output a microwave (S1205b). Namely the controller180 stops the processing for determining a specific document by thedocument determining unit 160.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1202b that thepressure plate 202 is in the closed state, the controller 180 makes themicrowave sensor 161 output a microwave (S1203b). Namely, the controller180 makes the document determining unit 160 execute the processing fordetermining a specific document continuously.

And, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument as an object to be determined, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal for thereflected wave. The signal processing section 162 receives the detectionsignal outputted from the microwave sensor 161, and makes determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in the document by using thereceived detection signal. When it is determined that metallic fiber isincluded therein, a result is reported to the controller 180, and thecontroller 180 determines that the document is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein.On the other hand, when it is determined in the signal processingsection 162 that metallic fiber is not included in the document, aresult is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein, but anordinary document.

Even while the microwave sensor 161 is irradiating a microwave andscanning a document, the controller 180 repeatedly reads out asubroutine for the microwave output control processing at a specifiedtiming, and executes the microwave output control processing in stepS1201b to step S1205b. As a result, when it is determined in step S1202bthat the pressure plate 202 is in the open state, even during executionof the processing for determining a specific document, the controller180 executes a subroutine for changing the image processing (S1204b),and at the same time stops output of a microwave (S1205b). Namely, thecontroller 180 stops the processing for determining a specific documentby the document determining unit 160.

When the processing for determining a specific document is finished, thecontroller 180 determines in step S1201b that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not currently being executed, stopsoutput of a microwave from the microwave sensor 161, and makes thescanner unit 110 execute the processing for reading color image datafrom a document. The read color image data is subjected to the imageprocessing in the image processor 120 so that the read image data isdifferentiated from the image data for the document. Namely, the imageprocessor 120 executes the image processing according to parameters forthe image processing changed in the subroutine step S1204b for changingthe image processing.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 25, as the imageprocessing is executed to the image data read after irradiation of amicrowave is stopped and execution of the processing for determining aspecific document is inhibited will be differentiated from the imagedata for the document, even when image data is read without makingdetermination as to whether the document is a specific one or not, it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied. Also as irradiation of amicrowave is stopped, it is possible to prevent a microwave from beingdirectly irradiated to a human body.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 26 is different from the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 25 in the point that the image processor 120 executes theprocessing for changing a color phase of image data as an imageprocessing to image data read after execution of the processing fordetermining a specific document is stopped.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing the imageprocessing in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 26. In step S1204b shown inFIG. 14, when the controller 180 enters a subroutine for changing theimage processing, at first change of parameters for the image processingis displayed in an operating unit 150 (S1301b).

Then the controller 180 changes color conversion parameters for theimage processor 120 so that a color change for the read color image datawill be changed (S1302b), and terminates the processing for changing theimage processing.

As described above, in the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 26, as a colorphase of image data read from a document after the processing fordetermining a specific document is inhibited is changed, so that, evenwhen image data is read from a document without making determination asto whether the document is a specific one or not, it is possible toprevent a specific document such as bills or marketable securities frombeing illegally copied.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 27 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 25 in the point that theimage processor 120 executes the processing for changing a density ofimage data as an image processing for image data read after execution ofthe processing for determining a specific document is inhibited.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing the imageprocessing in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 27. In step S1204b shown inFIG. 41, when the controller 180 enters a subroutine for changing theimage processing, at first change of parameters for the image processingis displayed in the operating unit 150 (S1401b).

Then the controller 180 changes density parameters for the imageprocessor 120 so that a density of read color image data will be thickeror thinner (S1402b), and then terminates the processing for changing theimage processing.

As described above, in the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument according to Embodiment 27, as a density of image data readfrom a document to which the processing for determining a specificdocument has been inhibited is changed, so that, even when image data isread from a document without making determination as to whether thedocument is a specific document or not, it is possible to prevent aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 28 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 25 in the point that theimage processor 120 executes the processing for limiting a range ofcolor reproduction for image data as an image processing for image dataread after execution of the processing for determining a specificdocument is stopped.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing the imageprocessing in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 28. In step S1204b shown inFIG. 41, when the controller 180 enters a subroutine for changing theimage processing, at first change of parameters for the image processingis displayed in. the operating unit 150 (S1501b).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for color reproduction in theimage processor 120 so that a color reproduction range for read colorimage data can be limited (S1502b), and then terminates the processingfor changing the image processing.

As described above, in the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 28, as a colorreproduction range for image data read from a document to whichexecution of the processing for determining a specific document has beenstopped is limited, even when image data is read from a document withoutmaking determination as to whether a document is a specific document ornot, it is possible to prevent a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities from being illegally copied.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 29 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 25 in the point that theimage processor 120 changes the processing for changing a resolution ofimage data as an image processing for image data read after execution ofthe processing for determining a specific document is stopped.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing the imageprocessing in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 29. In step S1204b shown inFIG. 41, when the controller 180 enters a subroutine for changing theimage processing, at first change of parameters for the image processingis displayed in the operating unit 150 (S1601b).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for a resolution of the imageprocessor 120 so that a resolution of read color image data can bechanged (for instance by reducing the resolution to 1/4) (S1602b), andthen terminates the processing for changing the image processing.

As described above, in the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 29, as aresolution of image data read from a document to which execution of theprocessing for determining a specific document is stopped is changed, sothat, even when image data is read from a document without makingdetermination as to whether the document is a specific one or not, it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 30 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 25 in the point that theimage processor 120 executes the mosaic processing to image data as animage processing to image data read after execution of the processingfor determining a specific document is stopped.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a sequence of changing the imageprocessing in the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 30. In step 1204b shown inFIG. 41, when the controller 180 enters a subroutine for changing theimage processing, at first change of parameters for the image processingis displayed in the operating unit 150 (S1701b).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for the image processor 120so that the mosaic processing can be executed to the read color imagedata (S1702b), and then terminates the processing for changing the imageprocessing.

As described above, in the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 30, as the mosaicprocessing is executed to image data read from a document to whichexecution of the processing for determining a specific document has beenstopped, even when image data is read from a document without makingdetermination as to whether the document is a specific one or not, it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 31 of the present invention isdifferent from the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to any of Embodiments 21 to 23 in thepoint that, when the document determining unit 160 stops irradiation ofa microwave, determination as to whether the document is a specific oneor not is made with a system other than that in which a microwave isused. It should be noted that, as configuration of the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 31 is the same as that of the image reading apparatus havingthe specific document determining function according to Embodiments 21to 23, description thereof is omitted herein, and description is madebelow with reference to configuration of the image reading apparatushaving the specific document determining function according toEmbodiment 21.

In the image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 31, the processing for determining aspecific document is executed when color image data is read from adocument. In Embodiment 31, the processing for determining a specificdocument is executed when prescan is carried out to detect a size of adocument or an image density thereon. However, the timing for executionof the processing for determining a specific document is not alwayslimited to the time when prescan is executed.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a microwave output control sequenceexecuted when the processing for determining a specific document isexecuted by the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to Embodiment 31. When it is instructedto read color image data, prescan is executed, and at the same time theprocessing for determining a specific document is executed. In thisstep, the controller 180 reads out a subroutine for the microwave outputcontrol processing, and makes determination as to whether the processingfor determining a specific document is currently being executed or not(S1801b).

When it is determined in step S1801b that the processing for determininga specific document is not currently being executed, system controlshifts to the next step without making the microwave sensor 161 output amicrowave (S1805b).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1801b that theprocessing for determining a specific document is currently beingexecuted, then determination is made as to whether the pressure plate202 is in the open state or in the closed state (S1802b). Whether thepressure plate 202 is in the open state or in the closed state can bechecked according to a detection signal outputted from the pressureplate open state detecting unit 190b. Namely, the pressure plate openstate detecting unit 190b always monitors whether the pressure plate 202is in the open state or in the closed state, and when the pressure plate202 is opened, the pressure plate open state detecting unit 190b outputsa detecting signal indicating that the pressure plate has been opened tothe controller 180. The controller 180 receives the detection signal andcan determine whether the pressure plate 202 is in the open state or inthe closed state.

When it is determined in step S1802b that the pressure plate 202 is inthe open state, the controller 180 executes the processing for switchingfrom the processing for determining a specific document using amicrowave to the processing for determining a specific document notusing a microwave (S1804b). The controller 180 executes the processingfor switching the processing for determining a specific document, andthen stops output of a microwave from the microwave sensor 161 (S1805b).Namely, the controller 180 stops the processing for determining aspecific document using a microwave, and makes the document determiningunit 160 execute other type of processing for determining a specificdocument to determine whether the document is a specific one or not.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1802b that thepressure plate 202 is in the closed state, the controller 180 makes themicrowave sensor 161 output a microwave (S1803b). Namely, the controller180 makes the document determining unit 160 execute the processing fordetermining a specific document continuously.

And, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument as an object to be determined, detects a reflected portion ofthe irradiated microwave, and outputs a detection signal for thereflected wave. The signal processing section 162 receives the detectionsignal outputted from the microwave sensor 161, and makes determinationas to whether metallic fiber is included in the document or not by usingthe received detection signal. When it is determined that metallic fiberis included therein, a result is reported to the controller 180, and thecontroller 180 determines that the document is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein.On the other hand, when it is determined in the signal processingsection 162 that metallic fiber is not included in the document, aresult is reported to the controller 180, and the controller 180determines that the document is not a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein, and that thedocument is an ordinary one.

Even while the microwave sensor 161 is irradiating a microwave to andscanning a document, the controller 180 repeatedly reads a subroutinefor the microwave output control processing at a specified timing, andexecutes the microwave output control processing in step S1801b to stepS1805b. As a result, when it is determined in step S1802b that thepressure plate 202 is in the open state, even during execution of theprocessing for determining a specific document, the controller 180 hasother type of processing for determining a specific document executed(S1804b), and also stops output of a microwave (S1805b).

When the processing for determining a specific document is finished, thecontrollers 180 determines in step S1801b that the processing fordetermining a specific document is not currently being executed, stopsoutput of a microwave from the microwave sensor 161, and executes, forinstance, the processing for reading color image data from a document asan object to be obtained.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 31, even whenirradiation of a microwave is stopped and the processing for determininga specific document can not be executed, other type of processing fordetermining a specific document is executed, so that it is possible toprevent a specific document such as bills or marketable securities frombeing illegally copied. Also irradiation of a microwave is stopped, sothat it is possible to prevent a microwave from being directlyirradiated to a human body.

FIG. 48 is a block diagram showing the image reading apparatus havingthe specific document determining function according to Embodiment 32 ofthe present invention. It should be noted that, in the image readingapparatus having the specific document determining function shown inFIG. 48, the same reference numerals are assigned to components as thosein the image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction shown in FIG. 21, and description thereof is omitted therein.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction according to Embodiment 32 has a pressure plate lockingmechanism 1910b to prevent the pressure plate 202 pressing a document toa contact glass 201 from being opened when determination is made by thedocument determining unit 160 as to whether metallic fiber is includedin the document or not.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatushaving the specific document determining function based on theconfiguration as described above. In the image reading apparatus havingthe specific document determining function according to Embodiment 32,the processing for determining a specific document is executed whencolor image data is read from a document. In Embodiment 32, theprocessing for determining a specific document is executed at a timingwhen prescan is executed to detect a size of a document or an imagedensity thereon. However, the timing for executing the processing fordetermining a specific document is not limited to the time when prescanis executed.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a sequence of locking a pressure platewhen the image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 32 executes theprocessing for determining a specific document. When it is instructed toread color image data, prescan is executed, and at the same time theprocessing for determining a specific document is executed. In thisstep, the controller 180 reads out a subroutine for the microwave outputcontrol processing, and makes determination as to whether the processingfor determining a specific document is currently being executed or not(S2001b).

When it is determined in step S2001b that the processing for determininga specific document is not currently being executed, system controlmakes the pressure lock mechanism 1910b release locking of the pressureplate, and shifts to the next step (S2003b).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2001b that theprocessing for determining a specific document is currently beingexecuted, the controller 180 makes the pressure plate locking mechanism1910b operate to effect locking so that the pressure plate can not beopened (S2002b). And, the controller 180 makes the document determiningunit 160 execute the processing for determining a specific documentwithout the pressure plate 202 kept locked.

Also when the processing for determining a specific document isfinished, the controller 180 determines in step S2001b that theprocessing for determining a specific document is not being executed,the controller 180 makes the pressure plate locking mechanism 1910boperate to release locking of the pressure plate 202 (S2003b).

As described above, with the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to Embodiment 32, as thepressure plate locking mechanism 1910b locks the pressure plate toprevent it from being opened during execution of the processing fordetermining a specific document, it is possible to prevent the pressureplate 202 from being opened by mistake during execution of theprocessing for determining a specific document. As a result, it ispossible to prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated to ahuman body.

It should be noted that it is possible to program a method ofcontrolling the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function described in Embodiments 21 to 32 and to store theprogram in a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, or DVD.

As described above, the image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present invention has apressure plate determining unit for making determination as to whether apressure plate pressing a document to a document base is in the openstate or in the closed state when irradiating a microwave to andscanning the document, and a specific document determining unit forstopping irradiation of a microwave when it is determined by thepressure plate determining unit that the pressure plate is in the openstate, and also executing the processing for irradiating a microwave toand scanning a document when it is determined by the pressure platedetermining unit that the pressure plate is in the closed state, so thatit is possible to prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated toa human body.

Also the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention has a human bodydetermining unit for making determination as to whether a man is presentnear the image reading apparatus when a microwave is irradiated to adocument for scanning, and a specific document determining unit forstopping irradiation of a microwave when it is determined by the humanbody determining unit that a man is present near the image readingapparatus, and also for executing the operation for irradiating amicrowave to and scanning a document continuously when it is determinedby the human body determining unit that a man is not present near theimage reading apparatus, so that it is possible to prevent a microwavefrom being directly irradiated to a human body.

Also the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention has a pressureplate determining unit for making determination as to whether a pressureplate pressing a document to a document base is in the open state or inthe closed state when irradiating a microwave to and scanning thedocument, a human body determining unit for making determination as towhether a man is present near the image reading apparatus or not when itis determined by the pressure plate determining unit that the pressureplate is in the open state, and a specific document determining unit forexecuting the operation for irradiating a microwave to and scanning adocument continuously when it is determined by the pressure platedetermining unit that the pressure plate is in the closed state and whenit is determined by the human body determining unit that a man is notpresent near the image reading apparatus, and also for stoppingirradiation of a microwave when it is determined by the human bodydetermining unit that a man is present near the image reading apparatus,so that it is possible to prevent a microwave from being directlyirradiated to a human body.

Also the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention has a reader forstopping an operation for reading image data from a document whenirradiation of a microwave is stopped, so that it is possible to preventa specific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied and also to prevent a microwave from being directlyirradiated to a human body.

Also the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention has an imageprocessor for executing an image processing to image data, when theimage data is read from a document after irradiation of a microwave isstopped, so that the read image data is differentiated from image datafor the document, so that, when image data is read from a documentwithout making determination as to whether a document is a specific oneor not, it is possible to prevent a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities from being illegally copied. Also as irradiationof a microwave is stopped, it is possible to prevent a microwave frombeing directly irradiated to a human body.

With the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention, the imageprocessor changes a color phase of image data, so that, even when imagedata is read from a document without making determination as to whethera document is a specific one or not, it is possible to prevent aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied.

With the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention, the imageprocessor changes an image density of image data, so that, even whenimage data is read from a document without making determination as towhether the document is a specific one or not, it is possible to preventa specific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied.

With the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention, the imageprocessor changes a color reproduction range for image data, so that,even when image data is read from a document without makingdetermination as to whether the document is a specific one or not, it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied.

With the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention, the imageprocessor changes a resolution of image data, so that, even when imagedata is read from a document without making determination as to whetherthe document is a specific one or not, it is possible to prevent aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities from beingillegally copied.

With the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention, the imageprocessor executes the mosaic processing to the image data, so that,even when image data is read from a document without makingdetermination as to whether the document is a specific one or not, it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied.

With the image reading apparatus having the specific documentdetermining function according to the present invention, the specificdocument determining unit makes determination as to whether a documentis a specific one or not, when irradiation of a microwave is stopped, byusing a method not requiring the operations for irradiating a microwaveto a document for scanning, so that it is possible to prevent a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities from being illegallycopied and also to prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated toa human body.

The image reading apparatus having the specific document determiningfunction has a locking unit for locking a pressure plate pressing adocument to a document base, when determination is made as to whetherthe document is a specific one or not, so that the pressure plate cannot be opened, and also for releasing locking of the pressure plate whenthe processing for making determination as to whether the document is aspecific one or not is finished, so that it is possible to prevent thepressure plate from being opened by mistake during the processing fordetermining the specific document. As a result, it is possible toprevent a microwave from being directly irradiated to a human body.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises a first step of making determination as to whether thepressure plate pressing a document to a document base is in the openstate or in the closed state while a microwave is irradiated to adocument for scanning, a second step of stopping irradiation of amicrowave when it is determined in the first step that the pressureplate is in the open state, and a third step of executing the processingfor irradiating a microwave and scanning a document continuously when itis determined in the first step that the pressure plate is in the closedstate, so that it is possible to prevent a microwave from being directlyirradiated to a human body.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises a first step of making determination as to whether a man ispresent near the image reading apparatus or not while a microwave isirradiated to a document for scanning, a second step of stoppingirradiation of a microwave when it is determined in the first step thata man is present near the image reading apparatus, and a third step ofexecuting the processing for irradiating a microwave to and scanning thedocument continuously when it is determined in the first step that a manis not present near the image reading apparatus, so that it is possibleto prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated to a human body.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises a first step of making determination as to whether thepressure plate pressing a document to a document base is in the openstate or in the closed state while a microwave is irradiated to adocument for scanning, a second step of executing the processing forirradiating a microwave and scanning a document continuously when it isdetermined in the first step that the pressure plate is in the closedstate, a third step of making determination as to whether a man ispresent near the image reading apparatus when it is determined in thefirst step that the pressure plate is in the open state, a fourth stepof executing the processing for irradiating a microwave and scanning thedocument when it is determined in the third step that a man is notpresent near the image reading apparatus, and a fifth step of stoppingirradiation of a microwave when it is determined in the third step thata man is present near the image reading apparatus, so that it ispossible to prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated to ahuman body.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises a step of stopping an operation for reading image data from adocument when irradiation of a microwave is stopped, so that it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied and also to prevent a microwavefrom being directly irradiated to a human body.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises an image processing step of subjecting image data to the imageprocessing, when image data is read from a document after irradiation ofa microwave is stopped, so that the read data is differentiated fromimage data for the document, so that, even when image data is read froma document without making determination as to whether the document is aspecific one or not, it is possible to prevent a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied. Also asirradiation of a microwave is stopped, it is possible to prevent amicrowave from being directly irradiated to a human body.

In the method of controlling an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to the presentinvention, the image processing step includes a step of changing a colorphase of image data, so that, even when image data is read from adocument without making determination as to whether the document is aspecific one or not, it is possible to prevent a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied.

In the method of controlling an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to the presentinvention, the image processing step includes a step of changing animage density of image data, so that, even when image data is read froma document without making determination as to whether the document is aspecific one or not, it is possible to prevent a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied.

In the method of controlling an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to the presentinvention, the image processing step includes a step of changing a colorreproduction range for image data, so that, even when image data is readfrom a document without making determination as to whether the documentis a specific one or not, it is possible to prevent a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied.

In the method of controlling an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to the presentinvention, the image processing step includes a step of changing aresolution of image data, so that, even when image data is read from adocument without making determination as to whether the document is aspecific one or not, it is possible to prevent a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied.

In the method of controlling an image reading apparatus having thespecific document determining function according to the presentinvention, the image processing step includes a step of executing themosaic processing to image data, so that, even when image data is readfrom a document without making determination as to whether the documentis a specific one or not, it is possible to prevent a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises a specific document determining step of making determinationas to whether a document is a specific one or not by using a method notrequiring the processing for irradiating a microwave to and scanning thedocument when irradiation of a microwave is stopped, so that it ispossible to prevent a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities from being illegally copied and also to prevent a microwavefrom being directly irradiated to a human body.

The method of controlling an image reading apparatus having the specificdocument determining function according to the present inventioncomprises a first step of locking a pressure plate pressing a documentto a document base so that the pressure plate can not be opened whendetermination is made as to whether a document is a specific one or not,a second step of releasing locking of the pressure plate when theprocessing for making determination as to whether a document is aspecific one or not is finished, so that is possible to prevent thepressure plate from being opened by mistake during execution of theprocessing for determining a specific document. As a result, it ispossible to prevent a microwave from being directly irradiated to ahuman body.

The computer-readable recording medium according to the presentinvention stores therein a program for executing the program describedabove, so that the program for the control method itself canappropriately be protected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the image reading apparatus in whichthe specific document determining unit according to Embodiment 33 isapplied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing concrete configuration ofa document reading system in the image reading apparatus shown inFIG. 1. The concrete contents thereof was described above, so thatdescription thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for the processing for making determination asto whether the microwave sensor 161 is normally operating or not.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the processing for checking operations ofthe microwave sensor 161 in the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 33 isapplied. Herein it is assumed in description of the processing forchecking operations of the microwave sensor 161 that the pressure plate202 of the image reading apparatus has metallic members (such as amirror pressure plate), and also that non-metallic members are providedaround the pressure plate 202.

At first the controller 180 moves the microwave sensor 161 to a positionclose to the non-metallic members (S301c), and executes the processingfor checking operations of the microwave sensor 161 (S302C). Concretely,the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scan thenon-metallic members, and detects a reflected portion of the irradiatedmicrowave. The signal processing section 162 receives an output signalfrom the microwave sensor 16, and makes determination as to whetherthere is any abnormality in the output signal from the non-metallicmember or not (for instance, the abnormality that no output is providedfrom the microwave sensor 161).

When is determined by the signal processing section 162 that there isany abnormality in the output signal from the microwave sensor 161(S303c), the controller 180 determines that the microwave sensor 161 isnot working normally. On the other hand, when it is determined by thesignal processing section 162 that there is not any abnormality in theoutput signal from the microwave sensor 161, the controller 180 movesthe microwave sensor 161 to a position close to the metallic members(S304c), and executes the processing for checking operations of themicrowave sensor 161 continuously (S305c). It should be noted that, whenthe processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161 isexecuted continuously, the signal processing section 162 stores thereinan output signal from the non-metallic members used in the determinationprocessing in step S302c.

In step S305c, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to andscans the metallic members, and detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave. Then the signal processing section 162 receives anoutput signal from the microwave sensor 161 and makes determination asto whether there is any abnormality in the output signal from themetallic members.

When it is determined by the signal processing section 162 that there isany abnormality in an output signal from the microwave sensor 161(S306c), the controller 180 determines that the microwave sensor 161 isnot working normally. On the other hand, when it is determined by thesignal processing section 162 that there is no abnormality in an outputsignal from the microwave sensor 161 (S306c), the controller 180 makesthe signal processing section 162 compare an output signal from thenon-metallic members to an output signal from the metallic member(S307c).

Next description is made for the processing for comparing an outputsignal from the non-metallic members to that from the metallic membersexecuted by the signal processing section 162. FIG. 51 is an explanatoryview showing an output signal outputted when the microwave sensor 161 isworking normally, and FIG. 52 is an explanatory view showing an outputsignal outputted when the microwave sensor 161 is not working normally.

Output A shown in FIG. 51 indicates that a level of an output signalfrom the metallic members is higher as compared to a level of an outputsignal from the non-metallic members, and that it is possible todifferentiate the metallic members from the non-metallic members.However, from output B and output C shown in FIG. 52, it is understoodthat a level of output signals is substantially constant, and that, withthe output signals, it is impossible to differentiate the non-metallicmembers from the metallic members.

Then the signal processing section 162 makes determination in step S308cas to whether a level of an output signal from the metallic members ishigher than a level of output signals from the non-metallic numerals ornot with reference to a level of an output signal from the non-metallicmembers as a reference.

When it is determined in step S308c that a level of an output signalfrom the metallic members is higher than that of an output signal fromthe non-metallic members, the controller 180 determines that themicrowave sensor 161 is working normally. On the other hand, when it isdetermined by the signal processing section 162 that a level of anoutput signal from the metallic members is not higher than that of anoutput signal from the non-metallic members, the controller 180determines that the microwave sensor 161 is not working normally.

It should be noted that, when it is determined that the microwave sensor161 is not working normally, the controller 180 executes, for instance,the processing for displaying in the operation unit 150 that themicrowave sensor 161 is not working normally.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 33 isapplied, as a level of an output signal from the metallic members iscompared to that of an output signal from the non-metallic members, itis possible to accurately determine whether the microwave sensor 161 isnormally working or not. As a result, it is possible to prevent theprocessing for determining a specific document from being executed whenthe microwave sensor 161 is not working normally, which makes itpossible to improve precision in determination of a specific document.

It should be noted that, in the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 33 isapplied, the signal processing section 162 makes determination as towhether there is any abnormality in an output signal from the microwavesensor 161, and the controller 180 makes determination as to whether themicrowave sensor 161 is normally working or not according to a result ofdetermination by the signal processing section 162 , but the signalprocessing section 162 may make the processing for determination inbatch.

When power is turned ON, the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 34 ofthe present invention is applied executes the processing for checkingoperations of the microwave sensor 161 described in Embodiment 33. Itshould be noted that the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus is applied in Embodiment 34 has the sameconfiguration as the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 33 is applied,and description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 34 is applied. FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing operations ofthe image reading apparatus to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 34 is applied.

When power for the image reading apparatus is turned ON, the processingfor initial setting is executed (S601c). And, after the processing forinitial setting is executed, the processing for checking operations ofthe microwave sensor 161 is executed under controls by the controller180 (S602c). It should be noted that the processing for checkingoperations of the microwave sensor 161 was described in detail inrelation to Embodiment 1 and description thereof is omitted herein.

When the processing for operations of the microwave sensor 161 isfinished in step S602c, the processing for initialization is executed inthe image reading apparatus (S603c), and it becomes possible to read animage from a document (S604c). And, the image reading apparatus executesthe processing in stand-by state (S605c), and waits for an instructionfor reading an image (S606c).

When the controller 180 detects an instruction for reading an image(S606c), the controller 180 controls the microwave sensor 161 and thesignal processing section 162, and makes determination as to whether adocument, from which an image is to be read, is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included thereinprior to start of operations for reading an image.

Namely, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, andoutputs a reflected signal corresponding to a level of a reflected wave.Then the signal processing section 162 receives the detection signaloutputted from the microwave sensor 161, and compares a level of thedetection signal to a preset threshold value. As a result of comparisonof a level of the detection signal to the threshold value, when it isdetermined that a level of the detection signal is higher than thethreshold value, the signal processing section 162 determines thatmetallic fiber is included in the document, and when it is determinedthat a level of the detection signal is not higher than the thresholdvalue, the signal processing signal 162 determines that metallic fiberis not included in the document. A result of determination by the signalprocessing section 162 is reported to the controller 180. When it isdetermined that metallic fiber is included in the document, thecontroller 180 determines that the document is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein,and when it is determined that metallic fiber is not included in thedocument, the controller 180 determines that the document is not aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein.

As described above, as a result of determination as to whether adocument is a specific document one or not, when it is determined thatthe document is not a specific one, image ata is read from the document(S607c). When reading of image data is finished (S608c), system controlreturns to step S603c, and the controller 180 waits for an instructionfor reading image data.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a document is a specificone, according to the preset processing method, for instance, anoperation for reading image data from a document is finished, or theprocessing for subjecting the read image data to a specific imageprocessing is executed to prevent bills or marketable securities frombeing illegally copied.

However, when it is determined in step S602c for the processing forchecking operations of the microwave sensor 161 that there is anyabnormality in the microwave sensor 161, it is impossible to makedetermination as to whether a document is a specific one or not, andalso it become impossible to prevent bills or marketable securities frombeing illegally copied. For this reason, the controller 180 inhibits,according to the present processing method, an operation for reading animage from the document, or executes the processing for, for instance,issuing an instruction to the image processor 120 to subject the readimage data to a specific image processing.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus in which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 24 isapplied, the processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor161 is executed when power is turned ON, so that abnormality in themicrowave sensor 161 can be detected early.

The image reading apparatus to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 35 is applied executes the processingfor checking operations of the microwave sensor 161 described inEmbodiment 33 each time determination is made as to whether a documentis a specific document such as bills or marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein or not. It should be noted that theimage reading apparatus to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 35 is applied has the sameconfiguration that of the image reading apparatus to which the specificdocument determining apparatus according to Embodiment 33 is applied,and description thereof is omitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image reading apparatusto which the specific document determining apparatus according toEmbodiment 35 is applied. FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing operations ofthe image reading apparatus to which the specific document determiningapparatus according to Embodiment 35 is applied.

When power for the image reading apparatus is turned ON, the processingfor initialization is executed (S701c). After the processing forinitialization is executed, the processing for checking operations ofthe microwave sensor 161 is executed under controls by the controller180 (S702c). It should be noted that the processing for operations ofthe microwave sensor 161 were described in detail in relation toEmbodiment 1, and description thereof is omitted herein.

In step S702c, when the processing for operations of the microwavesensor 161 is finished, the processing for initializing the imagereading apparatus is executed (S703c), and an operation for reading animage from a document is enabled (S704c). And the image readingapparatus executes processing in the stand-by state (S705), and waitsfor an instruction for reading an image (S706c).

When an instruction for reading an image is detected (S706c), thecontroller 180 controls the microwave sensor 161 as well as the signalprocessing section 162, and executes the processing for checkingoperations of the microwave sensor 161 (S707c) prior to start ofoperations for reading an image and determining a specific document.

After the processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161is executed in step S707c, determination is made as to whether adocument, from which an image is to be read, is a specific document suchas bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein.The processing for determining a specific document was described inrelation to Embodiment 34, and description thereof is omitted herein.

As a result of determination as to whether a document is a specific oneor not, when it is determined that the document is not a specific one,image data is read from the document (S708c). And, when an operation forreading image data is finished (S709c), system control returns to stepS703c, and an instruction for reading image data is waited for.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a document is a specificone, according to the preset processing method, for instance, theoperation for reading image data from a document is finished, or theprocessing for subjecting the read image data to a specific imageprocessing is executed to prevent bills or securities from beingillegally copied.

However, in the processing for checking operations of the microwavesensor 161 executed in step S702c as well as in step S707c, when it isdetermined that there is any abnormality in the microwave sensor 161,the processing for making determination as to whether a document is aspecific one or not can not be executed, and it becomes impossible toprevent bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied. Forthis reason, according to the preset processing method, the controller180 executes such processing as inhibiting an operation for reading animage from a document, or issuing an instruction to the image processor120 to subject the read image data to a specific image processing.

As described above, with the image reading apparatus to which thespecific document determining apparatus according to Embodiment 35 isapplied, the processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor161 is executed each time the processing for making determination as towhether a document is a specific one or not is executed, so that itbecomes possible to immediately detect abnormality in the microwavesensor 161.

As described above, the specific document determining apparatusaccording to the present invention comprises testing members comprisingmetallic members and non-metallic members provided for checkingoperations of the microwave sensor, and a determination controller forcontrolling the microwave sensor to make it irradiate a microwave to andscan the metallic members and non-metallic members, receiving an outputsignal from the metallic members and an output signal from thenon-metallic members each outputted from the microwave sensor, andmaking determination whether the microwave sensor is working normally ornot by comparing the output signal from the metallic members to thatfrom the non-metallic members, so that it is possible to accuratelydetermine whether the microwave sensor is normally working or not. As aresult, it is possible to prevent the processing for determining aspecific document from being executed when the microwave sensor is notworking normally, which improves a precision in determination of aspecific document.

With the specific document determining apparatus, when power for thespecific document determining apparatus is turned ON, the determinationcontroller executes the processing for making determination as towhether the microwave sensor is working normally or not, it is possibleto detect abnormality in the microwave sensor 161 early.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the processing for making determination as to whetherthe microwave sensor is normally working or not is executed by thedetermination controller each time determination is made as to whether adocument is a specific document or not, so that it is possible toimmediately detect abnormality in the microwave sensor.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the metallic member is a white reference board, sothat, when the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention is applied to an image reading apparatus, the whitereference board provided in the image reading apparatus can be used fordetermination as to whether the microwave sensor is normally working ornot. For this reason, simplification of system configuration and costreduction are enabled.

With the specific document determining apparatus according to thepresent invention, the metallic member is a metallic plate having barcode, and for this reason, when the specific document determiningapparatus is applied to an image reading apparatus, the bar code plateprovided in the image reading apparatus can be used for determination asto whether the microwave sensor is normally working or not. Sosimplification of system configuration and cost reduction are enabled.

Further with the specific document determining apparatus according tothe present invention, the metallic member is a metallic pressure platefor covering a document, and for this reason when the specific documentdetermining apparatus according to the present invention is applied inan image reading apparatus, the pressure plate provided in the imagereading apparatus can be used for determination as to whether themicrowave sensor is normally working or not. For this reason,simplification of system configuration and cost reduction are enabled.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus accordingto Embodiment 36. FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the scanner unit110. FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the image processor 120. FIG. 34is a block diagram showing the write processing unit 130 shown inFIG. 1. Further, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing particularconfiguration of a document reading system in the image formingapparatus shown in FIG. 1. Concrete contents shown in each figure wasalready described, and description thereof is omitted herein.

The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 36 has theconfiguration adapted to determination as to whether the microwavesensor 161 is normally working or not by using a pressure plate 202 orthe like. When determination as to whether the microwave sensor 161 isnormally working or not is to be executed, the controller 180 controlsthe microwave sensor 161 so that a microwave is irradiated to themetallic members (such as the metallic plate 202, white reference board215, and bar code plate 220) and the non-metallic members for scanning.The signal processing section 162 receives output signals from themetallic members and output signal from the non-metallic members eachoutputted from the microwave sensor 161, and compares the output signalfrom the metallic members to that from the non-metallic member. And, thecontroller 180 makes determination as to whether the microwave sensor161 is normally working or not according to a result of comparison inthe signal processing unit 162. It should be noted that the case wherethe microwave sensor 161 is defined herein as a case, for instance,where the microwave sensor 161 is in failure, a case where the microwavesensor 161 has been removed, or a case where the signal line has beendisconnected.

When it is determined that the microwave sensor 161 is not workingnormally, as the processing for making determination as to whether adocument is a specified one or not can not be executed normally, thecontroller 180 restricts some of the functions which the image formingapparatus has by, for instance, inhibiting an operation for full colorcopy to prevent a specific document from being illegally copied, andprovides controls so that the normally copying operation can becontinued.

Next detailed description is made for operations of the image formingapparatus according to Embodiment 36 in the order of 1), the processingfor checking operations of a microwave sensor, 2) the processingexecuted when any abnormality is generated in the microwave sensor, 3)the processing for determining a specific document, and 4) the operationfor copying.

1) Processing for checking operations of a microwave sensor

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing the processing for checking operations ofthe microwave sensor 161 in the image forming apparatus according toEmbodiment 36. Herein description of the processing for checkingoperations of the microwave sensor 161 is made based on the assumptionthat the pressure plate of the image forming apparatus has metallicmembers (such as a mirror pressure plate), and that non-metallic membersare provided around the pressure plate 202.

The processing for checking operations for the microwave sensor wavesensor 161 is executed when power for the image forming apparatus isturned ON, or before execution of the processing of determining aspecific document. It should be noted that, in Embodiment 36, theprocessing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161 isexecuted when power is turned ON.

In FIG. 55, at first the controller 180 moves the microwave sensor 161to a position close to the non-metallic members (S601d), and executesthe processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161(S602d). Concretely, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave toand scans a non-metallic member, and detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave. The signal processing section 162 receives anoutput signal from the microwave sensor 161, and determines whetherthere is any abnormality in an output signal from the non-metallicmember (such as the fact that no output is provided from the microwavesensor 161).

When it is determined in the signal processing section 162 that there isany abnormality in an output signal from the microwave sensor 161(S603d), the controller 180 determines that the microwave sensor 161 isnot normally working. On the other hand, when it is determined in thesignal processing section 162 that there is no abnormality in an outputsignal from the microwave sensor 161 (S603d), the controller 180 movesthe microwave sensor 161 to a position close to the metallic members(S604d), and has the processing for checking operations of the microwavesensor 161 executed continuously (S605d). It should be noted that, whenthe processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161 is tobe executed continuously, the signal processing section 162 storestherein the output signal from the non-metallic members used in theprocessing for determination in step S602d.

In step S605d, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to andscans the metallic members, and detects a reflected portion of theirradiated microwave. Then the signal processing section 162 receives anoutput signal from the microwave sensor 161, and makes determination asto whether there is any abnormality in an output signal from themetallic members or not.

When it is determined in the signal processing section 162 that there isany abnormality in an output signal from the microwave sensor 161(S606d), the controllers 180 determines that the microwave sensor 161 isnot normally working. On the other hand, when it is determined in thesignal processing section 162 that there is no abnormality in an outputsignal from the microwave sensor 161 (S606d), the controller 180 makesthe signal processing section 162 compare an output signal from thenon-metallic member to an output signal from the metallic member(S607d).

Next description is made for the processing executed by the signalprocessing section 162 for comparing an output signal from thenon-metallic members to that from the metallic members with reference toFIG. 51 and FIG. 52. FIG. 51 is an explanatory view showing an outputsignal outputted when the microwave sensor 161 is working normally, andFIG. 52 is an explanatory view showing an output signal outputted whenthe microwave sensor 161 is not normally working.

From the output A shown in FIG. 51, it is understood that a level of theoutput signal from the metallic members is higher as compared to that ofthe output signal from the non-metallic members, and that thenon-metallic members and metallic members are differentiated from eachother. However, the output B and output C shown in FIG. 52 show thateach level of the output signals is substantially constant, and it isunderstood that, with the output signals, the non-metallic members andmetallic members can not be differentiated from each other.

So the signal processing section 162 makes determination as to whether alevel of an output signal from the metallic members is higher than thatof an output signal from the non-metallic members or not by referring toa level of the output signal from the non-metallic members as areference.

When the signal processing section 162 determines in step S608d that alevel of an output signal from the metallic members is higher than thatof an output signal from the non-metallic members, the controller 180determines that the microwave sensor 161 is normally working. On theother hand, when it is determined by the signal processing section 162in step S608d that a level of the output signal from the metallicmembers is not higher than that of the output signal from thenon-metallic member, the controller 180 determines that there is anyabnormality in the microwave sensor 161.

As described above, with the image forming apparatus according toEmbodiment 36, as a level of an output signal from the metallic membersis compared to a level of an output signal from the non-metallicmembers, it is possible to accurately determine whether the microwavesensor 161 is normally working or not. As a result, it is possible toprevent the processing for determining a specific document from beingexecuted while the microwave sensor 161 is not normally working, whichenables improvement of a precision in determination of a specificdocument.

It should be noted, that, although the signal processing section 162makes determination as to whether there is any abnormality in an outputsignal from the microwave sensor 161 or not and the controller 180 makesdetermination as to whether there is any abnormality in the microwavesensor 161 or not according to a result of determination by the signalprocessing section 162 in the image forming apparatus accordingEmbodiment 36, the signal processing section 162 may execute theprocessing for determination in batch.

2) Processing executed when abnormality is generated in the microwavesensor

Next description is made for the processing when it is determined in theprocessing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161 describedabove that there is any abnormality in the microwave sensor 161.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the processing executed when there is anyabnormality in the microwave sensor 161 (specific document determiningapparatus) in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 36. Inthe processing for checking operations of the microwave sensor 161, whenit is determined that there is any abnormality in the microwave sensor161 (S901d), the controller 180 reads out a subroutine for inhibitingthe full color mode in which an operation for copying with full colorsis inhibited (S902d).

When it is determined that the microwave sensor 161 is normally working(S901d), the controller 180 executes the processing for makingdetermination as to whether a document is a specific document such asbills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein uponinput of an instruction for an operation for copying. It should be notedthat the processing for determining a specific document is describedlater.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing the processing for inhibiting operationsin the full color mode. The controller 180 at first makes determinationas to whether the full color mode has been effected or not (S1001d).When it is determined in step S1001d that the full color mode has notbeen set, the controller 180 makes determination as to whether aninstruction for selection of the full color mode has been inputted fromthe operating unit 150 or not (S1002d).

When it is determined in step S1002d that an instruction for selectionof the full color mode has been inputted, the controller 180 makes theoperating unit 150 display an alarm indicating that the full color modecan not be selected (S1003d) and inhibits selection of the full colormode (S1004d). Namely, switching to the full color mode is inhibited.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1001d that the fullcolor mode has been set, the controller 180 changes the setting for thefull color mode to the monochrome mode (S1005d), and makes the operationunit 150 display an alarm indicating that selection of the full colormode is impossible (S1006d).

When it is determined in step S1002d that an instruction for selectionof the full color mode has not been inputted, the controller 180terminates the processing for inhibiting the full color mode. It shouldbe noted that, in this case, the controller 180 waits for input of aninstruction for selection of the full color mode, and executes theprocessing in step S1003d and S1004d described above.

In the conventional technology, when any abnormality is generated in thespecific document determining apparatus and the processing fordetermining a specific document is disabled, all operations for copyingare inhibited irrespective of whether the current operating mode is thefull color mode or the monochrome mode. However, an illegal operationfor copying a specific document such as bills or marketable securitiesis generally copied with full colors is executed in the full color mode,and for this reason the illegal operation for copying a specificdocument can be prevented by inhibiting an operation for copying aspecific document with full colors. Consequently, with the image formingapparatus according to Embodiment 36, only the copying operation in thefull color mode is inhibited with the copying operation in themonochrome mode allowed, so that an illegal operation for copying bills,marketable securities or the like can be prevented with the operationfor copying general documents allowed. Because of this feature, all thecopying operations are not inhibited differently from a case in theimage forming apparatus based on the conventional technology, and a downtime of the image forming apparatus can be minimized.

3) Processing for determining a specific document

In the processing for checking operations of the specific documentdetermining apparatus described above, when it is determined that thespecific document determining apparatus is normally working,determination as to whether a document is a specific document such asbills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein isexecuted as described below.

When an instruction for an operation for reading an image inputted fromthe operation unit 150 is detected, the controller 150 controls themicrowave sensor 161 and the signal processing section 162, and makesdetermination as to whether a document from which an image is to be readis a specific document such as bills or marketable securities withmetallic fiber included therein prior to start of the operation forreading the image.

Namely, the microwave sensor 161 irradiates a microwave to and scans adocument, detects a reflected portion of the irradiated microwave, andoutputs a detection signal corresponding to a level of the reflectedwave. Then the signal processing section 162 receives the detectionsignal outputted from the microwave sensor 161, and compares a level ofthe detection signal to a preset threshold value. As a result ofcomparison of a level of the detecting signal to the threshold value,when it is determined that a level of the detection signal is higherthan the threshold value, the signal processing section 162 determinesthat metallic fiber is included in the document, and when it isdetermined that a level of the detection signal is not higher than thethreshold value, the signal processing section 162 determines thatmetallic fiber is not included in the document. A result ofdetermination by the signal processing section 162 is reported to thecontroller 180. When it is determined that metallic fiber is included inthe document, the controller 180 determines that the document is aspecific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallicfiber included therein, and when it is determined that metallic fiber isnot included in the document, the controller 180 determines that thedocument is not a specific document such as bills or marketablesecurities with metallic fiber included therein.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the document is a specificdocument, the controller 180 executes, according to the presetprocessing method, the processing for preventing a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied byexecuting such a processing as stopping an operation for reading imagedata from a document or executing the processing for subjecting the readimage data to a specific image processing.

As a result of determination as to whether the document is a specificdocument or not, when it is determined that the document is not aspecific document, the copying operation is executed as described above.

4) Copying operation

In the processing for determining a specific document, when it isdetermined that a document is not a specific document, the copyingoperation is executed. At first, to read image data from a document, afirst scanner 205 is reciprocally moved, and then the document isilluminated by an exposure illuminating unit 203 in the forwarddirection for scanning. The light reflected by the document is reflectedby a first mirror 204, and is introduced into a second scanner 208. Thereflected light introduced into the second scanner 208 is reflected by asecond mirror 206 as well as by a third mirror 207, and is introducedinto the image reading section 213. The reflected light introduced intothe image reading section 213 passes through the filter 209 and lens210, and then is introduced into the CCD 212. In the CCD 212, thereflected light is converted to color image data as electric signal, andis inputted into the read signal processing section 112.

The color image data is subjected to a specific processing in the readsignal processing section 112 as well as in the image processor 120, andis outputted as a laser beam from the write processing unit 130. Theprinter unit 140 forms a color image using the laser beam outputted fromthe write processing unit 130, and transfers the formed color image ontorecording paper.

It should be noted that description of the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 36 assumes use of that using the microwavesensor 161 as a specific document determining apparatus, but thespecific document determining apparatus is not limited to that using amicrowave sensor. The processing for determining abnormality in themicrowave sensor 161 was described above with reference to FIG. 55, butthe processing for determining abnormality is not limited to that shownin FIG. 55. Further, the processing executed when any abnormality isgenerated in the microwave sensor was described with reference to FIG.56 and FIG. 57, but it is needless to say that the processing shown inFIG. 56 and FIG. 57 is applicable not only to abnormality in a microwavesensor, but also to that in any type of specific document determiningapparatus in an image forming apparatus having a specific documentdetermining apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 37 comprises, in theimage forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, FIG.3, and FIG. 32 to FIG. 34, a controller 180 for changing the imageprocessing method for image data so that an image formed with image dataread from a document after any abnormality is detected in the specificdocument determining apparatus is differentiated from an image for thedocument and then having the copying operation executed, and an imageprocessor 120 for receiving image data read from a document andsubjecting the received image data to the image processing using theimage processing method changed by the controller 180. It should benoted that configuration of the image forming apparatus according toEmbodiment 37 is the same as that of the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 36 described above, and description thereof isomitted herein.

Next description is made for operations of the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 37. It should be noted that the processing forchecking operations of the microwave sensor, processing for determininga specific document, and copying operation were already described inrelation to Embodiment 36, so that description is made herein only forthe processing executed when abnormality is generated in the microwavesensor.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing the processing executed when abnormalityis generated in a microwave sensor in the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 37.

When it is determined that the microwave sensor 161 is not normallyworking (S1101d), the controller 180 reads out a subroutine for theprocessing for changing an image processing (S1102d).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the microwave sensor 161is working normally (S1001d), the controller 180 makes determination asto whether the document is a specific document such as bills ormarketable securities with metallic fiber included therein upon input ofan instruction for the copying operation.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing the processing for changing an imageprocessing in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 37. Inthe image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 37, a color phase ofcolor data is changed so that an image formed with image data read froma document is differentiated from an image for the document. For thisreason, it is assumed herein that the full color copying operation isexecuted.

The controller 180 displays in the operating unit 150 an messageindicating that execution of the processing for changing an imageprocessing is started and parameters for the image processing arechanged (S1201d).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for color conversion in theimage processor 120 so that a color phase of the read color image datacan be changed (S1202d), and terminates the processing for changing animage processing.

Then, the image processor 120 receives the color image data read from adocument, and changes a color phase of the color image data. As aresult, an image formed from the color image data has a color tonedifferent from that of an image for the document.

In the conventional technology, when abnormality is generated in thespecific document determining apparatus and the processing fordetermining a specific document is disabled, all the copying operationsare inhibited. However, an operation for copying a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities is generally executed in thecolor copy mode, so that it is possible to prevent a specific documentfrom being illegally copied without inhibiting all types of copyingoperation by changing the image processing for the color image data readfrom a document so that the image will be differentiated from an imagefor the document. For this reason, with the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 37, as a color phase of color image data readfrom a document is changed, it is possible to prevent bills, marketablesecurities or the like from being illegally copied, and the copyingoperation in the monochrome mode can be executed as usual, so that ageneral monochrome document can be copied as usual. With this feature,different from a case in the image forming apparatus based on theconventional technology, all the copying operations are not inhibited,so that down time of the image forming apparatus can be minimized.

It should be noted that description of the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 37 assumes use of the microwave sensor 161 as aspecific document determining apparatus, but the specific documentdetermining apparatus is not limited to that using a microwave sensor.Also the processing executed when abnormality is generated in themicrowave sensor was described with reference to FIG. 58 and FIG. 59, itis needless to say that the processing is applicable not to theabnormality in the microwave sensor, but also to abnormality in any typeof specific document determining apparatus in an image forming apparatushaving a specific document determining apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 38 is different fromthe image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 37 in the pointthat, when abnormality is detected in the specific document determiningapparatus, the controller 180 changes the image processing method bychanging density parameters for the image processor 120 so that an imageformed with image data read from a document is differentiated from animage for the document.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing the processing for changing the imageprocessing in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 38.The controller 180 displays in the operating unit 150 a messageindicating that the processing for changing the image processing isstarted and parameters for the image processing are changed (S1301d).

Then the controller 180 changes density parameters of the imageprocessor 120 so that a density of read color image data can be madethicker or thinner (S1302d), and then terminates the processing forchanging the image processing.

Then the image processor 120 receives the color image data read from thedocument, and changes a density of the color image data. As a result,the image formed from the color image data has a density balancedifferent from that of an image for the document.

In the conventional technology, when any abnormality is generated in thespecific document determining apparatus and the processing fordetermining a specific document is disabled, all the copying operationsare inhibited. However, as an operation for copying a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities is generally executed in thecolor copy mode, so that it is possible to prevent a specific documentfrom being illegally copied without inhibiting all types of copyingoperation by changing the image processing for the color image data readfrom a document so that the image will be differentiated from an imagefor the document. For this reason, with the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 38, as a density of color image data read from adocument is changed, it is possible to prevent bills, marketablesecurities or the like from being illegally copied, and the copyingoperation in the monochrome mode can be executed as usual, so that ageneral monochrome document can be copied as usual. With this feature,differently from a case in the image forming apparatus based on theconventional technology, all the copying operations are not inhibited,so that down time of the image forming apparatus can be minimized.

The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 39 of the presentinvention is different from the image forming apparatus according toEmbodiment 37 in the point that, when any abnormality is detected in thespecific document determining apparatus, the controller 180 changes theimage processing method by changing parameters for color conversion inthe image processor 120 so that an image formed with image data readfrom a document is differentiated from an image for the document.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing the processing for changing the imageprocessing in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 39.The controller 180 displays a message in the operating unit 150 that theprocessing for changing an image processing is started and parametersfor the image processing are changed (S1401d).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for color conversion in theimage processor 120 so that a color reproduction range for the readcolor image data can be limited (S1402d), and then terminates theprocessing for changing the image processing.

Then, the image processing 120 receives color image data read from thedocument, and executes the processing for limiting a color reproductionrange for the color image data. As a result, an image formed from thecolor image data has reproduced colors (a color tone) different fromthat of an image for the document.

In the conventional technology, when any abnormality is generated in thespecific document determining apparatus and the processing fordetermining a specific document is disabled, all the copying operationsare inhibited. However, an operation for copying a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities is generally executed in thecolor copy mode, so that it is possible to prevent a specific documentfrom being illegally copied without inhibiting all types of copyingoperation by changing the image processing for the color image data readfrom a document so that the image will be differentiated from an imagefor the document. For this reason, with the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 39, as a color reproduction range of color imagedata read from a document is limited, it is possible to prevent bills,marketable securities or the like from being illegally copied, and thecopying operation in the monochrome mode can be executed as usual, sothat a general monochrome document can be copied as usual. With thisfeature, differently from a case in the image forming apparatus based onthe conventional technology, all the copying operations are notinhibited, so that down time of the image forming apparatus can beminimized.

The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 40 of the presentinvention is different from that according to Embodiment 37 in the pointthat, when any abnormality is detected in the specific documentdetermining apparatus, the controller 180 makes the image processor 120change parameters for a resolution for changing the image processingmethod so that an image formed with image data read from a document isdifferentiated from an image for the document.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing the processing for changing the imageprocessing in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 40.The controller 180 displays a message in the operation unit 150 that theprocessing for changing an image processing is started and parametersfor the image processing are changed (S1501d).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for resolution in the imageprocessor 120 so that the resolution of read color image data becomeslower, for instance, 1/4 (S1502d), and then terminates the processingfor changing the image processing.

Then, the image processing 120 receives color image data read from thedocument, and makes lower the resolution of the color image data to 1/4of the original one. As a result, an image formed from the color imagedata is different from that of an image for the document.

In the conventional technology, when any abnormality is generated in thespecific document determining apparatus and the processing fordetermining a specific document is disabled, all the copying operationsare inhibited. However, an operation for copying a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities is generally executed in thecolor copy mode, so that it is possible to prevent a specific documentfrom being illegally copied without inhibiting all types of copyingoperation by changing the image processing for the color image data readfrom a document so that the image will be differentiated from an imagefor the document. For this reason, with the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 40, as the reduction of color image data readfrom a document is changed, it is possible to prevent bills, marketablesecurities or the like from being illegally copied, and the copyingoperation in the monochrome mode can be executed as usual, so that ageneral monochrome document can be copied as usual. With this feature,differently from a case in the image forming apparatus based on theconventional technology, all the copying operations are not inhibited,so that down time of the image forming apparatus can be minimized.

The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 41 of the presentinvention is different from that according to Embodiment 37 in the pointthat, when any abnormality in the specific document determiningapparatus is detected, the controller 180 makes the image processor 120execute the mosaic processing for the purpose to change the imageprocessing method so that an image formed with the image data read froma document is differentiated from an image for the document.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing the processing for changing the imageprocessing in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 41.The controller 180 displays a message in the operating unit 150 that theprocessing for changing an image processing is started and parametersfor the image processing are changed (S1601d).

Then the controller 180 changes parameters for the image processor 120so that the mosaic processing can be executed to the read color imagedata (S1602d), and then terminates the processing for changing the imageprocessing.

Then, the image processing 120 receives color image data read from thedocument, and executes the mosaic processing to the color image data. Asa result, an image formed from the color image data is different fromthat of an image for the document.

In the conventional technology, when any abnormality is generated in thespecific document determining apparatus and the processing fordetermining a specific document is disabled, all the copying operationsare inhibited. However, an operation for copying a specific documentsuch as bills or marketable securities is generally executed in thecolor copy mode, so that it is possible to prevent a specific documentfrom being illegally copied without inhibiting all types of copyingoperation by changing the image processing for the color image data readfrom a document so that the image will be differentiated from an imagefor the document. For this reason, with the image forming apparatusaccording to Embodiment 41, as the mosaic processing is executed tocolor image data read from a document, it is possible to prevent bills,marketable securities or the like from being illegally copied, and thecopying operation in the monochrome mode can be executed as usual, sothat a general monochrome document can be copied as usual. With thisfeature, differently from a case in the image forming apparatus based onthe conventional technology, all the copying operations are notinhibited, so that down time of the image forming apparatus can beminimized.

It should be noted that, in Embodiments 37 to 41, when changing theimage processing, the image processing may be changed by not onlychanging only a color phase or a density of color image data read from adocument, but also by combining the processing above, for instance, tosimultaneously change both the color phase and density.

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the presentinvention has a controller for having the copying operation executed inthe state where some of functions owned by the image forming apparatusare suppressed when any abnormality is detected in the specific documentdetermining apparatus, so that, even when determination of a specificdocument can not be executed, it is possible to prevent a specificdocument such as bills or marketable securities from being illegallycopied by inhibiting only the copying operations using the suppressedfunctions, and at the same time to have the copying operation withoutusing the suppressed functions, thus the copying operation beingexecuted continuously. Also all the copying operations are notinhibited, so that down time of the image forming apparatus can beminimized.

With the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, thecontroller restricts some of functions owned by the image formingapparatus by inhibiting the copying operation in the full color mode, sothat, even if determination of a specific document can not be executed,it is possible to prevent bills, marketable securities, or the like frombeing illegally copied with an operation for copying an ordinarydocument in the monochrome mode kept enabled. With this feature, all thecopying operations are not inhibited, so that down time of the imageforming apparatus can be minimized.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has adisplay unit for displaying a message indicating that the copyingoperation in the full color mode has been inhibited when the controllerinhibits the copying operation in the full color mode, so that it ispossible to make a user understand that abnormality has been generatedin the specific document determining apparatus and the copying operationin the full color mode can not be executed.

Further the image forming apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises a controller for having the copying operation executed bychanging the image processing method to image data, when any abnormalityin the specific document determining apparatus is detected, so that theimage formed with the image data read from a document is differentiatedfrom an image for the document, and an image processor for receivingimage data read from a document and subjecting the received image datato an image processing by using the image processing method changed bythe controller above, so that, even when the processing for determininga specific document can not be executed, it is possible to output a copyof an image different from an image for the document and prevent bills,marketable securities, or the like from being illegally copied. Also allthe copying operations are not inhibited so that down time of the imageforming apparatus can be minimized.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has adisplay unit for displaying a message indicating that the imageprocessing method has been changed when the controller changes the imageprocessing method, so that, even when a copy of an image different froman image for the document is outputted, the user can understand thereason.

Further in the image forming apparatus according to the presentinvention, the controller changes the image processing method byspecifying at least one of the processing for changing a color phase,processing for changing a density, processing for limiting a colorreproduction range, processing for lowering a resolution, and mosaicprocessing to the image processor, so that it is possible to output acopy of an image different from an image for the document and also theprevent bills or marketable securities from being illegally copied.

This application is based on Japanese patent application Nos. HEI8-284396, HEI 8-284397, HEI 8-289894, HEI 8-289895 and HEI 8-294194filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Oct. 25, 1996, Oct. 25, 1996,Oct. 31, 1996, Oct. 31, 1996 and Nov. 6, 1996, respectively, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specificembodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims arenot to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying allmodifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching hereinset forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A specific document determining apparatus in which a document as an object to be determined is placed on a document base and is covered with a pressure plate, a microwave is irradiated to said document for scanning, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said document is a specific one such as a bill or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included in the document; said specific document determining apparatus comprising:a detector which irradiates a microwave to and scans a specified area of said specific document determining apparatus before said document is placed on said document base, detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, outputs a first detection signal, then irradiates a microwave to and scans said document after said document is placed on said document base and is covered with said pressure plate, detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, and outputs a second detection signal; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using said first detection signal as a reference and comparing a level of said reference signal to a level of said second detection signal; and a second determining unit for making determination according to a result of determination by said first determining unit whether said document is said specific document or not.
 2. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 1; wherein said detector irradiates a microwave to and scan said pressure plate and detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave when irradiating a microwave to and scanning a specific area within said specific document determining apparatus and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave.
 3. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 1; wherein said detector irradiates a microwave to and scans a metallic plate provided at a position adjacent to said document base and detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave when irradiating a microwave to and scanning a specific area within said specific document determining apparatus and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave.
 4. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a computing unit for subjecting said first detection signal outputted from said detector to computing processing.
 5. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said computing unit subjects said first detection signal to computing processing by subjecting said first detection signal to an averaging processing to obtain an average value signal when subjecting said first detection signal to computing processing.
 6. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said computing unit subjects said first detection signal to computing processing by subjecting said first detection signal to sampling processing to obtain a maximum value signal when subjecting said first detection signal to computing processing.
 7. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said computing unit subjects said first detection signal to computing processing by subjecting said first detection signal to sampling processing to obtain a minimum value signal when subjecting said first detection signal to computing processing.
 8. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 3; wherein said metallic plate placed near said document base is a white reference plate.
 9. A specific document determining unit according to claim 3; wherein a glass plate is provided near said metallic plate and said detector irradiates a microwave to and scans said metallic plate via said glass plate and also detects said reflected wave via said glass plate.
 10. An image reading apparatus comprising:a reader for optically reading an image of a document; and a specific document determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein; wherein said specific document determining unit comprises a specific document determining apparatus according to a specific document determining apparatus in which a document as an object to be determined is placed on a document base and is covered with a pressure plate, a microwave is irradiated to said document for scanning, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said document is a specific one such as a bill or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included in the document; said specific document determining apparatus comprising: a detector which irradiates a microwave to and scans a specified area of said specific document determining apparatus before said document is placed on said document base, detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, outputs a first detection signal, then irradiates a microwave to and scans said document after said document is placed on said document base and is covered with said pressure plate, detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, and outputs a second detection signal; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using said first detection signal as a reference and comparing a level of said reference signal to a level of said second detection signal; and a second determining unit for making determination according to a result of determination by said first determining unit whether said document is said specific document or not.
 11. A specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated to a document as an object to be determined for scanning, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of detecting any metallic components existing in an environment for determination to make determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not and storing positional information for said metallic components; a second step of irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave for scanning to output a detection signal for said reflected wave; a third step of making determination as to whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not by using the positional information of said metallic components stored in said first step when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not; a fourth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said detection signal to a level of a specified reference signal when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is not a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components; a fifth step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a sixth step of repeatedly executing scanning for said document, determination as to whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not, and determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is a detection signal for the reflected wave reflected by metallic components and when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a seventh step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; and an eight step of determining that said document is not said specific document when scanning for said document is terminated and it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document.
 12. A specific document determining method according to claim 11; wherein, in said first step, when detecting metallic components existing in said environment for determination, metallic components existing in said environment for determination are detected by using the positional information for said metallic components previously inputted therein.
 13. A specific document determining method according to claim 12; wherein, in said fourth step and said sixth step, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said reflected wave used for detecting said metallic components in said first step to a level of said detection signal.
 14. A specific document determining method according to claim 11; wherein, in said first step, when metallic components existing in said environment for determination are detected, a microwave is irradiated to said environment for determination for scanning in a state where said document is not in the environment, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected, and said detected reflected wave is used to detect said metallic components existing in said environment for determination.
 15. A specific document determining method according to claim 14; wherein, in said fourth step and said sixth step, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said reflected wave used for detecting said metallic components in said first step to a level of said detection signal.
 16. A specific document determining method in which an infrared ray is irradiated to an object to be determined for scanning, a reflected wave of said irradiated infrared ray is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities when it is determined that metallic fiber is included in said document; said method comprising:a first step of detecting metallic components existing in an environment for determination to make determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not and storing positional information for said metallic components; a second step of irradiating an infrared ray to said document for scanning, detecting a reflected wave of said irradiated infrared ray for scanning and outputting a detection signal for said reflected wave; a third step of determining whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not by using the positional information for said metallic components stored in said first step when determining whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not; a fourth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said detection signal to a level of a specified reference signal when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is not a detection signal for a reflected signal reflected by said metallic components; a fifth step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a sixth step of repeatedly executing scanning for said document, determination as to whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not, and determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components and also when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a seventh step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; and an eighth step of determining that said document is not said specific document when scanning is terminated and it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document.
 17. A specific document determining method according to claim 16; wherein, in said first step, when detecting metallic components existing in said environment for determination, said infrared ray is irradiated into said environment for determination for scanning in a state where said document is not present, a reflected wave of said irradiated infrared ray is detected, and said metallic components existing in said environment for determination are detected by using said detected reflected wave.
 18. A specific document determining method according to claim 16; wherein, in said first step, when detecting metallic components existing in said environment for determination, metallic components existing in said environment for determination are detected by using the positional information for said metallic components previously inputted therein.
 19. A specific document determining method according to claim 18; wherein, in said fourth step and said sixth step, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said reflected wave used for detecting said metallic components in said first step to a level of said detection signal.
 20. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according to a specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated to a document as an object to be determined for scanning, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of detecting any metallic components existing in an environment for determination to make determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not and storing positional information for said metallic components; a second step of irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave for scanning to output a detection signal for said reflected wave; a third step of making determination as to whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not by using the positional information of said metallic components stored in said first step when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not; a fourth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said detection signal to a level of a specified reference signal when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is not a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components; a fifth step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a sixth step of repeatedly executing scanning for said document, determination as to whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not, and determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is a detection signal for the reflected wave reflected by metallic components and when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a seventh step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; and an eight step of determining that said document is not said specific document when scanning for said document is terminated and it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document.
 21. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according to a specific document determining method in which an infrared ray is irradiated to an object to be determined for scanning, a reflected wave of said irradiated infrared ray is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities when it is determined that metallic fiber is included in said document; said method comprising:a first step of detecting metallic components existing in an environment for determination to make determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not and storing positional information for said metallic components; a second step of irradiating an infrared ray to said document for scanning, detecting a reflected wave of said irradiated infrared ray for scanning and outputting a detection signal for said reflected wave; a third step of determining whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not by using the positional information for said metallic components stored in said first step when determining whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not; a fourth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing a level of said detection signal to a level of a specified reference signal when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is not a detection signal for a reflected signal reflected by said metallic components; a fifth step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a sixth step of repeatedly executing scanning for said document, determination as to whether said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components or not, and determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not when it is determined in said third step that said detection signal is a detection signal for a reflected wave reflected by said metallic components and also when it is determined in said fourth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a seventh step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is included in said document; and an eighth step of determining that said document is not said specific document when scanning is terminated and it is determined in said sixth step that metallic fiber is not included in said document.
 22. A specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to said document in both the forward and backward directions for scanning, detecting a reflected portion thereof, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for reflected waves in both the forward and backward directions for scanning detected in said first step; and a third step for making determination, according to a result of determination in said second step, as to whether said document is said specific document or not.
 23. A specific document determining method according to claim 22; wherein, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, an average value signal is obtained by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detected several times and determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing said average value signal to a prespecified threshold value.
 24. A specific document determining method according to claims 22; wherein a light for illumination is always lit under the same conditions upon execution of scanning and detection of a reflected wave when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, if a light for illumination is lit for reading said document.
 25. A specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of executing said scanning and detection of a reflected wave several times and outputting detection signals for reflected waves detected several times when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using detection signals for reflected waves detected several times in said first step; and a third step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said second step.
 26. A specific document determining method according to claim 25; wherein, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, an average value signal is obtained by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detected several times and determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing said average value signal to a prespecified threshold value.
 27. A specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document, detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, and outputting a detected signal; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for said reflected wave detected in said first step; and a third step of determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a fourth step of executing said scanning and detection of the reflected wave several times and outputting detection signals for reflected waves detected several times when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a fifth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signals for the reflected waves detected several times in said fourth step; and a sixth step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said fifth step.
 28. A specific document determining method according to claim 22; wherein, when determining whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, a difference signal for detection signals for reflected waves in the forward and backward directions for scanning is obtained, and determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing said difference signal to a prespecified threshold value.
 29. A specific document determining method according to claim 27; wherein, when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, an average value signal is obtained by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detected several times and determination is made as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing said average value signal to a prespecified threshold value.
 30. A specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to said document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document, and detecting a reflection portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave detected in the forward direction for scanning detected in said first step; a third step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a fourth step of irradiating a microwave to said document in the backward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a fifth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave in said backward direction for scanning detected in said fourth step; and a sixth step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said fifth step.
 31. A specific document determining method according to claims 30; wherein a light for illumination is always lit under the same conditions upon execution of scanning and detection of a reflected wave when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, if a light for illumination is lit for reading said document.
 32. A specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to said document in said forward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave in said forward direction for scanning detected in said first step; a third step of determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a fourth step of irradiating a microwave for said document in said forward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a fifth step for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave in said backward direction for scanning detected in said fourth step; and a sixth step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said fifth step.
 33. A specific document determining method according to claim 32; wherein a light for illumination is always lit under the same conditions upon execution of scanning and detection of a reflected wave when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, if a light for illumination is lit for reading said document.
 34. A specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising:a detector for irradiating a microwave to said document in both the forward and backward directions for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using detection signals for reflected waves in both the forward and backward directions for scanning detected by said detector; and a second determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit.
 35. A specific document determining apparatus according to claims 34; wherein said first determining unit obtains an average value signal by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detected several times and makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document by comparing said average value signal to a prespecified threshold value when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not.
 36. A specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising:a detector for executing said scanning and detection of reflected waves several times and outputting detection signals for reflected waves detected several times when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signals for reflected waves detected several times by said detector; and a second determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit.
 37. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 36; wherein said first determining unit obtains an average value signal by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detected several times and makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document by comparing said average value signal to a prespecified threshold value when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not.
 38. A specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising:a detector for irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document, detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, and outputting a detection signal; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for said reflected wave detected by said detector; and a second determining unit for determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is not included in said document; wherein said detector executes said scanning and detection of reflected waves several times and outputs the detection signals for the reflected waves when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is included in said document; said first determining unit makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signals for the reflected waves detected several times by said detector; and said second determining unit makes determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit.
 39. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 34; wherein said first determining unit obtains a difference signal for detection signals for reflected waves detected in both the forward and backward directions for scanning and makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by comparing said difference signal to a prespecified threshold value when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not.
 40. A specific document determining apparatus according to claim 38; wherein said first determining unit obtains an average value signal by averaging detection signals for reflected waves detected several times and makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document by comparing said average value signal to a prespecified threshold value when making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not.
 41. A specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising:a detector for irradiating a microwave to said document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting a reflected portion thereof, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiating microwave; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in said forward direction of scanning; and a second detecting unit for determining that said document is said specified document when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is included in said document; wherein said detector irradiates a microwave in the backward direction for scanning to said document, detects the reflected wave, and outputs a detection signal when it is determined by said first detecting unit that metallic fiber is not included in said document; said first determining unit determines whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in the backward direction for scanning; and said second determining unit makes determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit.
 42. A specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising:a detector for irradiating a microwave to said document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting a reflected wave thereof, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a first detecting means for determining whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in the forward direction for scanning; and a second determining unit for determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is not included in said document; wherein, when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is included in said document, said detector irradiates a microwave to said document in the backward direction for scanning, detects the reflected wave, and outputs a detection signal; said first determining unit makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in the backward direction for scanning; and said second determining unit makes determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit.
 43. An image reading apparatus comprising:a reader for optically reading an image of a document; and a specific document determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein or not; wherein said specific document determining unit comprises the specific document determining apparatus according to a specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising: a detector for irradiating a microwave to said document in both the forward and backward directions for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using detection signals for reflected waves in both the forward and backward directions for scanning detected by said detector; and a second determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit; and an illumination light for said reader is always turned ON or OFF in all scanning and detection of reflected waves, when said detector in said specific document determining apparatus irradiates a microwave to and scans said document and detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave.
 44. An image reading apparatus comprising:a reader for optically reading an image of a document; and a specific document determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein or not; wherein said specific document determining unit comprises the specific document determining apparatus according to a specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising: a detector for irradiating a microwave to said document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting a reflected portion thereof, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiating microwave; a first determining unit for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in said forward direction of scanning; and a second determining unit for determining that said document is said specified document when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is included in said document; wherein said detector irradiates a microwave in the backward direction for scanning to said document, detects the reflected wave, and outputs a detection signal when it is determined by said first detecting unit that metallic fiber is not included in said document; said first determining unit determines whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in the backward direction for scanning; and said second determining unit makes determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit; and an illumination light for said reader is always turned ON or OFF in all scanning and detection of reflected waves, when said detector in said specific document determining apparatus irradiates a microwave to and scans said document and detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave.
 45. An image reading apparatus comprising:a reader for optically reading an image of a document; and a specific document determining unit for making determination as to whether said document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein or not; wherein said specific document determining unit comprises the specific document determining apparatus according to a specific document determining apparatus in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said apparatus comprising: a detector for irradiating a microwave to said document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting a reflected wave thereof, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a first determining means for determining whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in the forward direction for scanning; and a second determining unit for determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is not included in said document; wherein, when it is determined by said first determining unit that metallic fiber is included in said document, said detector irradiates a microwave to said document in the backward direction for scanning, detects the reflected wave, and outputs a detection signal; said first determining unit makes determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document by using a detection signal for the reflected wave detected by said detector in the backward direction for scanning; and said second determining unit makes determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination by said first determining unit; and an illumination light for said reader is always turned ON or OFF in all scanning and detection of reflected waves, when said detector in said specific document determining apparatus irradiates a microwave to and scans said document and detects a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave.
 46. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according a specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to said document in both the forward and backward directions for scanning, detecting a reflected portion thereof, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for reflected waves in both the forward and backward directions for scanning detected in said first step; and a third step for making determination, according to a result of determination in said second step, as to whether said document is said specific document or not, stored therein.
 47. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according to a specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of executing said scanning and detection of a reflected wave several times and outputting detection signals for reflected waves detected several times when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using detection signals for reflected waves detected several times in said first step; and a third step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said second step, stored therein.
 48. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according to a specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document, detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave, and outputting a detected signal; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for said reflected wave detected in said first step; and a third step of determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a fourth step of executing said scanning and detection of the reflected wave several times and outputting detection signals for reflected waves detected several times when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a fifth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signals for the reflected waves detected several times in said fourth step; and a sixth step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said fifth step, stored therein.
 49. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according to a specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to said document in the forward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document, and detecting a reflection portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave detected in the forward direction for scanning detected in said first step; a third step of determining that said document is said specific document when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a fourth step of irradiating a microwave to said document in the backward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a fifth step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using a detection signal for the reflected wave in said backward direction for scanning detected in said fourth step; and a sixth step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said fifth step, stored therein.
 50. A computer-readable recording medium with a program for execution of the method according to a specific document determining method in which a microwave is irradiated for scanning to a document as an object to be determined, a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave is detected to make determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not, and it is determined that said specific document is a specific document such as bills or marketable securities with metallic fiber included therein when it is determined that metallic fiber is included therein; said method comprising:a first step of irradiating a microwave to said document in said forward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when irradiating a microwave to and scanning said document and detecting a reflected portion of said irradiated microwave; a second step of making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave in said forward direction for scanning detected in said first step; a third step of determining that said document is not said specific document when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is not included in said document; a fourth step of irradiating a microwave for said document in said forward direction for scanning, detecting the reflected wave, and outputting a detection signal when it is determined in said second step that metallic fiber is included in said document; a fifth step for making determination as to whether metallic fiber is included in said document or not by using the detection signal for the reflected wave in said backward direction for scanning detected in said fourth step; and a sixth step of making determination as to whether said document is said specific document or not according to a result of determination in said fifth step, stored therein. 